Medical professionals, health officials and scientists say that wearing face masks helps prevent the spread of the deadly Covid-19.

The City of Milwaukee should require everyone to wear masks and practice physical distancing in public places. Many city, county and state governments already require this. Milwaukee should protect its residents, too, so they're safe as possible. 

Masks help prevent a wearer from infecting others. But mask wearers are not protected if others don't wear masks. Not wearing masks puts everyone in public spaces -- including customers and employees -- at risk.

While some businesses require masks for everyone, others do not. There's no way a consumer can know where masks are required. Without rules, some people won't wear masks, even though they could infect others.

With everyone wearing masks, workers and businesses will benefit, as more people feel safe to spend money at Milwaukee businesses. 

Can we truly reopen if we don't make Milwaukee public spaces as safe as possible?

The City of Milwaukee should require that people wear masks in public places and maintain physical distancing until health professionals say these practices are no longer needed. The alternative is more lockdowns, business failures, and serious illness and death.