The New Year is a time many of us resolve to do something new or different. While COVID-19 is a nightmare we’ve lived with for two long years, it too has resolved to do something new in 2022. COVID-19 has mutated again, resulting in the Omicron variant. This variant is incredibly contagious, doubling infections daily. The best and most secure way to protect yourselves, your family and friends, and our beautiful community is to put on a mask.

Masking is nothing new. We’ve been masking up since June 2020. We all have cute masks that match our outfits now or that sport our favorite brand, location or business’ logo. In the summer and fall months we’ve gotten a little forgetful about our masking. With vaccine coverage increasing and feeling a little more back to normal, we’ve forgotten them in our cars or homes, or chosen not to wear them at all because we feel protected or healthy.

Let’s leave this mindset in 2021. In these early months of 2022, please put on your mask every where you go in public. Preferably a disposable surgical mask or a mask with a filter in it, worn over your mouth and nose. The Omicron variant is more contagious than any previous strand of COVID-19 and our public health and healthcare professionals are expecting everyone in the Wenatchee Valley and the region to be exposed to the Omicron variant. Protect yourself and others from getting sick by wearing a mask.

When shopping around town, please be kind to those who provide retail, restaurant, commercial and all other services to our community. We want to keep our community healthy, especially those who work in public facing spaces who cannot work from home if they get sick. Wearing your mask when entering businesses around town will help protect other patrons and the employees helping you. If you are unable or uncomfortable wearing a mask please utilize retail curbside pick up services. Businesses have suffered throughout this pandemic, please show your support to local businesses by masking up and shopping local.

Josh Tarr, owner of American Shoe Shop, shares his perspective on masking: “I think of masking the same way I do of shoveling snow from our sidewalks, it's tedious, annoying, apolitical, and seemingly never ending while you're doing it. However, it isn't difficult to do correctly, and when done right, can benefit the community. While I would likely sell more boots if the sidewalks weren't shoveled, folks in charge, both elected and appointed, that have more of their lives and education dedicated to our safety, have made rules regarding keeping our sidewalks clean of snow and ice. If you don't like the rules of snow removal OR masking then you can vote, educate yourself, and/or run for those offices. Just please don't use our small businesses as a place to make your political or religious stand.” 

The business community has done an incredible job at putting their teams and their customers first. They shut down to slow the spread, they provided masks for employees and guests throughout the pandemic, and have allowed for time off to those exposed or sick with the virus, or arranged work from home options to keep their teams safe. We are asking businesses to lead our community again by doubling down on these measures. Ensure your team members are wearing masks all the time and properly – especially those who interface with the public. Need masks for employees or guests? Contact the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce to get masks for your teams and guests at 509-662-2116.