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To the editor:

On Feb. 10, four hours and four minutes into the school board meeting, Mr. Riddick said: “Double standards. We want to say people have the choice whether to wear a mask, but then we force women to do things. I’m going to leave it alone, but you get what I am talking about.”

I would like to address this comment. I, as a matter of conviction and principle, am unapologetically and unconditionally a pro-life advocate. I am also for the rights of a parent to choose whether or not his or her child wears a mask in school. I would like to explain how you can be both without being a hypocrite or holding women to double standards.

There is research that shows masking a child can do more harm than good. It can cause mental harm and delays in communication with young children. Some children have difficulty having their face covered and in return have difficulties with the ability to pay attention in class. Others get easily distracted with the mask on their face, which impairs their learning.

Children need to see facial expressions of adults to understand situations better. A smile to know they are doing a great job and other facial expressions. I have two young children who have struggled with learning since masking has been mandated in schools. The CDC has even said cloth masks are not very effective with preventing the spread of the virus.

I choose to be an advocate for the voiceless, unborn children inside a woman’s womb. Life should always be the standard and should always prevail over the destruction of life with an abortion. While I am sure there are times when an unwanted pregnancy is difficult for women, choosing life needs to be the moral only standard and that is why wonderful organizations like Tidewater Pregnancy Center are there to help soon-to-be mothers. Science shows us that a heartbeat is detected at 6 weeks of development (life) and a child can feel pain as early as 12 to 15 weeks of development (life). I choose life for the unborn children in the womb so one day they can grow up and be productive citizens and choose what’s best for their children in life. I welcome you to the pro-life movement. May God bless America.

 

Jessica Smith

Suffolk