Editor’s note: This letter is in response to “I will no longer support Mail Express,” published Oct. 28.

I will support Mail Express and this is why: There is no doubt the pandemic is a serious matter. Suffice it to say, we could argue masks or no masks, distancing or no distancing, go out in the world or not, for ages. Yes, Della Crossley chose to let her employees and customers make their own decision in regard to the mask mandate. I know that there was a social distancing mandate imposed by Mail Express inside, the counter lended itself to distancing from front to back, signage stating mail, etc. would be delivered outside if requested, employees wore masks or not.

I personally observed many, many times customers entered without masks and with masks of their own accord. Customers at the counter could request employees to wear masks and they would do so. I personally heard an employee say they felt worse wearing a mask and not well. My point, employees weren’t coerced not to wear masks. There was no unkindness or uncaring; a choice was given. Yet, there was a governmental mandate and a fine was imposed.

My real concern with Ms. Anderson’s letter is this: she can have his own feelings in regard to Della Crossley’s decisions but to malign any business in our city by way of insinuating no one should patronize their establishment or just go to the post office in this case is unjust. All businesses have suffered greatly during the past eight months. I personally have been in many of the businesses that some patrons did not wear masks. Right or wrong, they need to have our business and we need their services. Contrary to the obvious plug for the post office, sometimes it is cheaper and sometimes not. You may pay a little more at Mail Express but the long-standing, loyal employees go the extra mile with extensive services. Also, many choose not to stand in long lines because of only one person at the front post office counter during certain hours. Many also do not wish to travel to Bonney Lake or Covington for other services provided at this business.

Again, Ms. Anderson will never set foot in Mail Express again. I will continue to support this business because Ms. Crossley not only supports this city by employing great personnel that means paying salaries, business and other taxes, etc. that is paramount for economic stability, but also supports through active involvement in Rotary, contributing to fundraisers, and lending a helping hand whenever needed.

In regard to hoping other businesses are fined as well and hopefully, large fines? Maybe the person who called in the violation (plus at least four other businesses) should have spoken to the business owner first with concerns. His name is public record, practices here but doesn’t live here, I believe. Maybe some of those businesses will now go out of business with a hefty fine. Working together usually works best and keeps our long-suffering businesses viable.

Judi Puttman

Enumclaw