As we hit the two year mark since the day the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic, we are now a week away from mask mandates ending for many sectors, schools and public settings in Ontario.  While an overwhelming relief to some, experts are saying that choosing to continue to wear a face covering may be seen as making a statement. No longer a requirement by law, it shifts to individual responsibility and interpretation of risk, be it the result of one’s own personal health, their families or an ethical decision to protect others.  Freedom, political beliefs and ideology may also impact this decision. One can hope that this doesn’t divide us as a community and that we can respect the choices of others, even if they are not the ones we would make ourselves.