Georgia Governor Jack Kemp has specifically ordered that cities and counties can not mandate citizens wear masks. They can recommend but they cannot require or mandate. He is suing the Atlanta mayor for going against his order. He should also be suing, Savannah, Athens and now you can add Byron to the list.

Byron’s Mayor Michael Chidester has gone against that order in mandating masks in city hall. City hall is a public place and it actually belongs to the citizens of Byron. Mayors who do this in my opinion, do not care about all of their citizens, nor about Governor Kemp’s wishes. Byron Municipal Complex was paid for by taxes paid by citizens, therefor in essence, belongs to them.

They have spent much money putting up plexiglass and changing things around to make it safe at city hall. Kudos for that but now the mayor wants to tell citizens they can’t enter if they can’t wear a mask. It should be a citizen’s choice on whether or not they wear a mask. These mayors do not care about those with health problems who cannot wear a mask. They also don’t care their  action is tyrannical. An officer at city hall told Kristi if she had a problem to take it up with the mayor. I’m still waiting to hear back from Byron’s mayor on a request I made in January and he assured me at least three times or more he’s getting back with me. Hasn’t happened.

I am sure some pro-maskers will agree with him, but they aren’t taking into the consideration those who can’t medically wear a mask either, yet they call others selfish. I hope those citizens who are against this will remember it come re-election time. 

You may think it is just a mask but I personally do not trust any of the data. It has been proven to be wrong and inflated. Science even differs on whether masks work on not. I don’t care if you want to wear one, but don’t force your fear on healthy people. 

We all have a right to an opinion and we have a right to choose. Mayors who take away that choice have trampled on your constitutional rights. The Constitution does not say a national emergency whether real or politically planned takes away your rights. 

The mortality rate for the virus is lower than many other things in comparison. We are exposed to viruses every day and never worry about it because the media hasn’t told us to do so. 

So, if someone asks what is wearing a mask can save one person’s life? To that I say, what about the one abortion that is going to take place today? What about the one combat vet who will take his life today. What about the one cancer victim who will lose their fight today. What about the one drunk driver who will be cause of a death today. What about the one drug addict who will die from an overdose today.

Please don’t talk to me about that one when  if you were to really think about it, you know the narrative is driving you and not the reality of what’s going on.

Wear your mask if you want but don’t bully or oppose those who don’t. It’s your right and prerogative and I expect the same in return.

My heart goes out to those who have lost people whether or not it is labeled as Covid-19 as cause of death. Death is death and to me it doesn’t matter the cause for me to grieve over it. But I grieve for those I mentioned above as well. Don’t they matter just as much? They do to me. 

The mask issue has become political and about control and that’s why I am against them. When my constitutional rights and yours are trampled with unconstitutional mandates, I will not comply without a fight. If you choose to comply, that’s your right. 

It has become more than a virus. It is now a weapon against our freedoms and if you don’t see that, I will watch as you take the vaccine or are led into a boxcar without a fight. When you cannot purchase things unless you are masked up, that is a problem and if you don’t see that, I’ll pray for you.

We have laws, yes, we have to abide by and if given to the law of freedom, which is the law of Christ, then all pertinent and moral laws will be fulfilled and obeyed. However, I will not bow down out of fear nor will I give one inch to communism, socialism, marxism or any other ism threatening my freedom.

Last time I checked, I am a free American and too much blood has been spilled to keep our national free.

When you give an inch, they will come back to take a mile. I will not fear man, nor do I fear death. I will only fear God.

They have already “normalized” mask wearing for some and they will continue to narrow your thinking while our freedoms are being ebbed away little by little. 

They have used the media to help them in normalizing that which is not normal. Even if mainstream media covered  concerns about other topics we would be bent on fixing it because many are like sheep headed for the slaughter. 

I respect your decision to wear a mask. Please respect mine not to wear one. I will never ask anyone to take theirs off, so don’t try to guilt me into putting on one because of your fear. If you are that afraid, please just stay home. 

God tells me to not be afraid, do not fear, nor be dismayed because He is with me. He strengthens and helps me and protects me. I’m covered by His blood. I stand on His word and I am not afraid. It’s not just about saying you have faith. Anyone can claim that but unless your actions speak it, your words don’t matter. 

Don’t try to talk about wisdom, because yes He gives you wisdom, His wisdom not the world’s and He also gives you discernment. You can’t say you believe certain parts and not all of it or just use certain verses to try and prove your point. Either you believe all of it or none of it. Personally, I’m all in and have watched Him not only fight my battles but supply every need I have. That’s who my God is and when He tells me not to fear, I trust Him.

He took all our diseases, sicknesses and sins on His back at Calvary. It’s settled, it’s done and therefore I walk in faith and do not fear. He promised me life abundantly and again I take Him at His word. Living in fear is not living life abundantly. 

And do not tell me I haven’t been affected yet or otherwise I would change my mind. You’d be wrong on both counts. I will not be moved as on Christ the solid rock I stand.

He is looking for people to have faith like Daniel, Abraham, Moses and more in these days. He wants us to stand out from the crowd and to stand firm in that faith. Will you or will you succumb to the fear going on around you? When I stand in front of Him, I want to be able to say I stood firm, no matter the cost.

VICTORIA SIMMONS Is a columnist, author, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com