Politicizing the COVID-19 pandemic

In the past hundred years, our country has faced a number of crises of a world-wide dimension, including the Great Depression and World War II. There was Republican push-back to FDR’s economic and social solutions to help us get out of the Depression, and there was isolationist opposition to entering WW II. But as we look back on those times, one of the characteristics that has become most memorable is the sacrifice that the average American demonstrated then. People united and proudly pulled together.

Rather than having a president that pulls the country together, today we have a president who does the opposite. He makes conflicting and erroneous claims about the COVID-19 pandemic and what he is doing to combat it. He has stated that the virus is just the flu, that there are plenty of masks and ventilators, and a cure is at hand – in contrast to his medical advisors. This gives the public a false sense of security and is divisive.

The president has also called for demonstrations against certain governors, who happen to be Democrats, because they have instituted policies calling for the closing of nonessential businesses and restricting gatherings. Last weekend there was a protest against Gov. Inslee’s efforts to protect Washington’s citizens against this disease and to get us through the pandemic as soon as possible. Some Republican lawmakers spoke at the protest. At least one, state Rep. Robert Sutherland, was wearing his sidearm and calling for a revolt. Was he afraid that Gov. Inslee was going to come out and attack him? Inslee is still in pretty good shape, but he doesn’t strike me as the violent sort.

In last week’s La Conner Weekly News, Bill Bruch, a residential and commercial property manager, complained that Gov. Inslee was unfairly singling out residential construction as opposed to public works. He failed to mention that some public projects are on hold, and if a tree limb falls through your roof, or a water or sewer line breaks, or a circuit breaker fails, repair work on your residence is allowed. Furthermore, allowing public works to continue is in the public interest as opposed to an individual’s interest.

It would be unseemly if Mr. Bruch was complaining about having to make a personal sacrifice, but it would have been more open if his complaint about Gov. Inslee was framed in a political context. Mr. Bruch is currently chair of the Skagit Republican Party. In a few weeks or months when we have emerged from our isolation and begun the new normal, we can dust ourselves off and return to the political arena. Until then, hang in there, keep to social distancing and don your mask in public.

Rick Shorten

Dodge Valley