Mandating Masks: A Letter to Governor Brian Kemp

Dear Governor Kemp,

I would like to have a conversation and initiate the first move. My name is Andy Lipman, I have a genetic disease called cystic fibrosis and I am an advocate for wearing masks to protect Georgia residents.

You and I met at your office last year through a friend who created Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Day for the state of Georgia. I was honored to represent the cystic fibrosis community that day as I handed you my newest book The CF Warrior Project and a shirt making you an honorary CF Warrior. I was born here, went to college here (Go Dawgs!) and started a family here. I have never lived anywhere else. While we are both proud Georgians, we differ with regards to one major issue: the mandating of masks in public places. I am frustrated with your refusal to order this mandate which would likely protect Georgians everywhere while ensuring our state’s economic vitality.

When you get into your car today, please ask yourself a few questions, Governor Kemp. Why do you put on a seatbelt? Why do you use a hands-free device to answer your phone? Why do you walk into a restaurant knowing that no one can light a cigarette?

The answer is simple. These policies protect people. If Georgians are not wearing masks in public places, they are failing to protect older people in nursing homes, young children and teachers trying to re-enter their classrooms and those of us who are high-risk. Simply put, you are failing the state of Georgia by not forcing the people of this great state to wear masks and you will have to live with that for the rest of your life…unless you change your stance with regards to mandating masks.

We have tried to trust the people in our state for months by urging them to wear masks but many of them have failed to take this pandemic seriously. I feel that you are equally responsible by not forcing them to do so. The refusal to wear masks is primarily why we are witnessing record-breaking numbers of new positive cases throughout the state of Georgia and other southern states while other states around the country, who have begun mandating masks, are now seeing their numbers rapidly decline. Many of us in Georgia are frustrated that you not only refuse to order a mask mandate but you are also blocking several mayors from trying to order their own including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms who you are now suing so that she and the Atlanta City Council cannot enforce the mask mandate and initiate a phase one rollback. I believe this is a waste of our funds and focus not to mention making us the laughing-stock of the country during a time when we should be directing most of our attention to a deadly pandemic.

Governor Kemp, please stop seeing the low mortality rates as encouraging statistics and start seeing them as individuals dying who may not have lost their lives if we forced our residents to wear masks. You are after all a pro-life supporter. Are you telling Georgia residents that you care more about unborn lives than those who are living? Please stop concerning yourself with offending voters and think about how you can potentially help those concerned about their lives and livelihoods. Please stop fighting your mayors and follow their lead by mandating masks in the parts of Georgia that are seeing the biggest spread of COVID-19.

I do not experience any sort of pleasure from discussing the need for mask mandates but I will continue to do so until we can establish ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 both in the United States and in our home state of Georgia. I owe it to the people of this state. Don’t you?

I have said what I needed to say.

The next move is yours, Governor Kemp.

Best Wishes,
Andy Lipman