Wendy Smith’s Oct. 3 letter is a good example of fallacious reasoning.

The grain of truth is present as the letter writer describes a “scientific” study done on masks and points out the results.

What is missing is the rest of the story.

Careful readers will pick out a key word in this statement from the letter: “Eleven dangerous pathogens trapped in mask fibers including bacteria, parasites and fungi.” That key word is trapped. Trapped. Masks trap microorganisms.

The other part of the story that is missing is that we humans each have our own unique micro-flora. I’m used to living with my population of microorganisms. Problems can occur if microorganisms are exchanged. Wearing masks and social distancing reduce that possibility.

If keeping that “yuck” close to us is so bad, then perhaps we all ought to shed our underwear.

MARY OLLIE

Bonners Ferry