Please stop turning a health crisis into a political issue

ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.

“The purpose of gummint is to create a healthy bidness climate.” — The late great columnist Molly Ivins quoting a Texas legislator.

“The purpose of government is to solve problems and be a fair referee.” — Me

The greatest challenge we Americans have faced during my lifetime thus far is the Coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, it is my humble, but correct opinion that we have failed miserably.

It’s hard to swallow because our ancestors, whom broadcaster Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation,” did an admirable job taking on and defeating the Great Depression and Germany and Japan in World War II. Fast forward 75 years and all we see is terrible failure in combatting the tiny invisible enemy that is Covid-19.

This pandemic has wreaked havoc all over the world in less than a year, but its most devastating impact has been in the rich and powerful United States of America.

It is virtually impossible for me to feel anything but shame in us collectively failing to slow or stop the spread of a virus that has killed more than a half million Americans. When it comes to number of cases and number of deaths on the planet, we’re No. 1.

Contrary to popular belief, former President Donald Trump did not create this deadly virus. His greatest sin was failing to deal with it effectively.

But he had a lot of help.

Those who have insisted, and continue to insist, on making a serious health issue into a political issue have done horrible damage to our communities, families, schools, states and country.

I saw the most recent example of this on Facebook, a post signed by such area dignitaries as State Senator Aric Nesbitt, State Reps. Steve Johnson and Mary Whiteford, Allegan County Clerk Bob Genetski and Martin Township Clerk Rachelle Smit:

“The People of the State of Michigan have endured unprecedented restrictions and hardships all based on the unknown, which has never been the historical convention of this country. As a result, individual freedoms have been abridged. We are being told what we can and cannot do, what to wear, how many people are allowed in our homes, how to best care for ourselves, businesses have been destroyed, families have suffered financially, fear has been spread and division in our society has occurred. Students have had their educational progress hampered deprived of in-person instruction, graduation, athletic and other special events. The elderly and infirm have been isolated to die alone. The cure has been worse than the disease and more irrevocable damage will occur if we do not change course.”

I submit that deadly, wrong-headed attitudes such as these have contributed mightily to the tragedies we have seen in our communities, our county, our state and our nation. Furthermore, Americans wrongly have dealt with this crisis in 50 different ways rather than take a unified approach, just like in a war.

By not treating this health crisis seriously and by not masking up in confined areas for meetings, events and gatherings, people such as these have aided and abetted the spread and misery of a disease that already has killed more than 500,000 Americans.

At the core of the “Allegan Declaration” is toxic defiance of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health, who have issued controversial orders that indeed create hardship but also save lives.

The undersigners of the declaration appear to place the rights if the individual over the life and safety of the individual. Some of this thinking spilled over into the “Let ‘Em Play” movement, spearheaded by a woman who doesn’t want to play by the same rules as everyone else.

Michigan is among the very best among the states thus far in coping with the deadly virus, mostly because its political officials have treated Covid-19 as a health crisis, not just a business and political inconvenience.

Many like to point to other states that aren’t as strict in anti-Covid protocols, but they have much worse statistics in cases and deaths.

I also have my issues with “Big Gretch,” but this isn’t one of them. I have admired her courage in the face of public vitriol and even very real death threats.

The “Allegan Declaration” continues:

“We cannot in good faith, as representatives and advocates for the people of our communities, be silent in the face of the continued harm to our families, businesses, schools, churches and communities. Our citizens’ rights to assemble, to freely practice their religion, to travel, to keep their property, businesses and jobs must no longer be swept aside. The Constitution must rule in all cases and apply in ALL times, regardless of the situation or agenda and NEVER be set aside again, in this great State of Michigan. It is time, as the leaders of this community, we come together for a common cause and let our unified, non-violent voice be heard. THIS is what the United States of America is about.”

Once again, the biggest problem with this declaration is that it turns a health issue into a political issue. Many of these same people don’t have a problem with implementation of martial law, which essentially has happened in a different way over the past 11 months.

I don’t like living like this either. But I’m willing to do what health experts say is best and work together with others in this difficult effort.

We are seeing promising improvements in case and death statistics, a lot because of the vaccines and following guidelines. To change course now because of political and economic hardship would be foolish and shortsighted.

In the words of Rosie the River: “We can do it!”