In the midst of a global pandemic, it would be assumed that orders to stay at home and protect oneself from possible harm would be taken seriously. After all, government officials put orders like this in effect to keep the general population safe. But when these restrictions are disregarded, it puts people in danger.
Demonstrations took place around the country in states like Colorado, Michigan and Pennsylvania with individuals protesting the stay-at-home orders and urging local governments to reopen businesses and allow citizens to return to their normal lives.
However, the disregard for the life-threatening effects of COVID-19 is truly unbelievable. Lifting stay-at-home orders and allowing people to return to work this early would frankly lead to more people getting sick and more death across the country, and though these protestors seem unbothered by the Coronavirus, it is possible that they too could die from the thing they protested against.
At the time of the protests a week ago the total death count of the virus was over 40,000 in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of course, someone’s financial stability and ability to work to earn a living for themselves and their family is crucial, which is why many people took part in these protests. However, instead of protesting the right to go back to work and putting themselves and others in danger, maybe they should be making their voices heard in favor of better funding for the individuals who aren’t considered essential workers.
Perhaps the most infuriating part of these protests was the lack of respect for the workers who are currently putting their safety and health on the line to fight the crisis. In Denver specifically, protestors were documented shouting directly to healthcare workers who stood up to the protests. These healthcare workers are heroes. Of course, they can go to work, but their work is what’s saving lives and slowing the spread of the virus. The protestors who blatantly disrespected these individuals are doing the exact opposite.
In Michigan, protestors carried guns and blocked ambulances from delivering patients to the hospital. In Kentucky, the protests drowned out the governor’s daily press conference and update of the statewide death count, but why inhibit healthcare workers from saving lives and government officials from sharing the latest news about COVID-19?
The individuals who took part in these protests display selfishness. Sure, financial security is important for everyone, but the health of our community and the people suffering from the virus is much more important. Compassion and respect for each other should be the number one priority.
