Wear a mask for those we love

I wore a mask before it was cool- and not because I was weak. In 2016, my husband got cancer and was immunocompromised. So every time I had a tickle in my throat, I masked up. I did a lot of tough things. I gave him shots. I grabbed him when he passed out on the stairs and fell down them, too. I did those things not from weakness, but because I loved him and because I had to know I had done everything I could when he died.

My son is doing online school. It is going well, but he wants to be with his friends. However, my 10-year-old understands that losing someone is a lot worse than missing some in-person school. He makes the sacrifice because he knows the consequences too well.

Maybe it's easier for my son and I to see our sacrifices as strength and love because our husband/father was right there needing it. But thousands of Iowans are right there needing you to protect them. They are your friends and family.

We can protect them by making simple sacrifices like wearing a mask and getting takeout. Do you have the strength to protect them?

Jenny Turner

West Des Moines