No clever intro for the Mask Bully today. Let’s just dive right into this lovely comment from the Facebook thread.

It’s actually not charitable or Christian to bully people into wearing something on their face they don’t want to, it’s also Bearing False Witness to continue as though these make differences and going along with the Fear mongering. I will have no part of it.

I have addressed why wearing a mask is charitable, as have many other Catholics.

I’ve shared a number of resources explaining that masks are effective and very low risk. Explaining that masks are effective and important is not bearing false witness; on the contrary, it is honoring the truth.

So all that’s left is the claim that I am fear-mongering. Today, I want to focus on fear as Christians.

Explaining that masks are effective and important is not bearing false witness; on the contrary, it is honoring the truth.
Click To Tweet

Fear-Mongering

Accusing someone of fear-mongering means that there is manipulation and exaggeration.

Manipulation is influencing people in a harmful way. Sharing evidence-based claims about masks is not manipulative. People can present facts in a manipulative way, but pointing out that a deadly virus is deadly is not manipulative; it’s acknowledging reality.

As for exaggeration, people who have the truth on their side don’t need to exaggerate. When I say COVID is dangerous, I have the evidence to support it. When I say wearing masks reduces transmission, I have evidence to support it.

If a person develops fear after hearing that COVID killed over 2.9 milion people, they are having a proportionate response to that fact.

If a person develops fear from learning that their refusal to wear a mask could harm others, they are having a reasonable response to that reality.

Fear is an appropriate response in some circumstances, and as Christians, we shouldn’t immediately treat fear as bad thing.

Letting Fear Rule You

Courage

Some people like to say that being concerned about COVID is Letting Fear Rule.

Some level of fear helps us to stay safe.

There are times that too much fear can cause problems, and there are times that too little fear is also dangerous. As Christians, we should strive for virtuous living.

Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith.

CCC 1804

We can view virtues and vices on a continuum rather than opposite ends of the spectrum. We aren’t looking at fear on one end and bravery on the other. One can be too brave just as one can be too fearful.

The virtue is courage. A deficiency in bravery is cowardice. An excess in courage is foolhardiness.

Ignoring the serious risks of COVID is not virtuous or brave. Falling into despair out of fear over COVID is not virtuous.

Virtue lies somewhere in the balance; it is recognizing that COVID is dangerous, taking reasonable precautions, and not completely succumbing to fear.

Ignoring the serious risks of COVID is not virtuous or brave.
Click To Tweet

Prudence

We have to remember that there is a level of prudence here, as well.

Prudence is “right reason in action,” writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle. It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.

CCC 1806

I recognize that there will be some variation both in opinion and action of what is prudent, but we must recognize that the well-being of others plays a role in our decision-making.

Our actions during the pandemic could help or harm another person.

You and your family might not be at high risk (and praise God for that!), but that might not be the case for the people with whom you interact.

The needs of others have to play a role in your judgment, and that may mean you have to be more cautious than you would prefer to be. This is not cowardice or timidity; it is making a sacrifice to keep your neighbors safe.

The needs of others have to play a role in your judgment, and that may mean you have to be more cautious than you would prefer to be. This is not cowardice or timidity; it is making a sacrifice to keep your neighbors safe.
Click To Tweet

Faith Over Fear

We can recognize that God is the answer to this huge mess we’re in and also know that He may be providing the answer through scientists, healthcare workers, and individuals.

It isn’t unvirtuous fear or a lack of trust that drives people to take COVID precautions. It is recognition that God, Creator of the Universe and loving Father, allows us to participate in His plan. Of course, prayer should be our first (and consistently prioritized) action. We should trust that He is watching over us through all of this. In short, we can trust in Him but also worry about the pandemic.