By Max McAuliff, Opinion Editor
People are dying. As of April 21st, COVID-19 has killed roughly 40,000 people in the United States. That is more than three times the number of people who perished in the United States due to the H1N1 pandemic in 2009. Why then are people protesting stay at home orders? Why are President Trump and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo exchanging insults? Why is Georgia’s Governor allowing businesses to reopen against most medical advice? One word: partisanship.
The United States has been more divided over the last four years than in recent memory. One would think that during a pandemic, the United States would be able to come together in unison to help to put a stop to the spread of this deadly virus. That, however, would require politicians and the public to put their differences aside and focus on what is important. That appears to be too hard for many people to do.
Let us start off with protesting stay at home orders. Protesting quarantine by gathering in groups puts yourself in danger and others around you. No one is happy about being forced to stay in their homes or wear masks when they go grocery shopping. I am sure every college student would rather be at school; every adult at work; and every baseball fan watching baseball. That is not the reality of the situation, and people should not expect that to be for a while.
The United States is a free country, but that does not mean that our rights cannot be limited. For example, citizens have the right to free speech. That does not mean however that someone can yell fire in a crowded theater. Every step the government has taken in response to COVID-19 has been for the safety and wellbeing of the nation. The limitation of our rights in this situation will be over as soon as health officials determine it is safe to return to everyday life.
Our government leaders have also been unable to work together as cohesively as possible to slow the spread of this pandemic. Governor Cuomo (a Democrat) and President Trump (a Republican) disagree on almost every aspect of the federal government’s role in this pandemic. Trump tweeted that Cuomo should stop complaining and do his job during one of Cuomo’s daily press briefings. When asked about this during the press briefing Cuomo fired back at the President saying, “if he’s sitting home watching tv, maybe he should get up and go to work.” The two are meeting at The White House on Tuesday, April 21st to discuss help with testing among other things in which should be a very interesting meeting.
The discussion now turns to when the country will reopen. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (a Republican) is allowing gyms, barbershops, tattoo parlors, and bowling alleys to reopen on Friday if they continue to follow social distancing requirements. Several Georgia Mayors disagree with the Governors’ decision to reopen these businesses. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms (a Democrat) said she was “perplexed” that Kemp decided to reopen several businesses and that she did not speak to him before he made the announcement.
President Trump took to Twitter to voice his opinion on other states’ positions on re-opening tweeting “Liberate Michigan,” “Liberate Minnesota,” and “Liberate Virginia.” It is no coincidence that the Governors of these states are Democrats.
Partisanship has always hurt our country and it continues to do so now. We must continue to abide by stay-at-home orders to stop the spread of this virus. Our rights will only be limited for a short time if we follow the recommendations of health professionals.
Protestors holding signs that say, “land of the free” are correct, we do live in the “land of the free”. However, we also live in the “home of the brave.” Think of all the brave doctors, nurses, and first responders who put their lives on the line everyday fighting this pandemic. Protestors are not only putting their lives on the line, but they are putting the lives of medical professionals on the line as well. The medical professionals are the brave ones fighting this virus on the frontlines, think of them and stay inside.
To defeat this virus the citizens of the United States must put aside their partisanship and focus on uniting. It is in our countries name for Pete’s sake.
mcaulimr18@bonaventure.edu
