In Idaho, no masks and no COVID

My son wanted to wrestle this season but unfortunately due to COVID-19 and Jay Inslee there has been no wrestling in Washington.

From a friend we learned that Idaho was allowing their athletes to compete. Upon ascertaining this information, and pursuing proper channels, my son has the opportunity to wrestle this year.

Specifically, last month we entered an Idaho gym to sign my son up for wrestling. We were astonished when we walked into the arena. Two hundred-plus parents and wrestlers sitting in the bleachers, 30 youngsters running around the gym throwing balls, laughing and screaming.

What mesmerized my son and I? There wasn’t a single mask being worn by anyone and no social distancing. Another Washington father said, “This is a breath of fresh air.” I replied, “You’re right both figuratively and literally.”

As I waited in the gym that night to sign my son up for the season, my boy inquired, “Dad, how come Idaho people get to live a normal life?” I replied, “Ask one of these Idaho wrestling dads.” My future Idaho wrestler posed his question to a couple of fathers and obtained a variety of answers. The most sarcastic retort, “Be sure to turn your wipers on in your car when you enter back into Washington so you can keep the virus off you.” My boy innocently asks me, “Is that true dad?”

Since that night, the deeper, riddling questions continue from my inquisitive teen, “Dad, how come that guy is wearing a mask and he is all by himself in his car? How come no one wears their mask in the Post Falls Walmart but everyone wears their mask in the Spokane Walmart? How come people in Idaho don’t social distance or wear masks? “Why can’t Washington be like Idaho dad?”

One month of wrestling in Idaho, eight practices, two wrestling tournaments, no masks, no social distancing and no COVID-19 infections.

As I drive west on I-90 after wrestling practice, and ponder some of my son’s questions, my own question looms, “Will Washington ever breathe fresh air or be wearing masks forever?”

Aaron Mason

Cheney