In America’s response to COVID-19, we have abandon some founding principles
Every Fourth of July, our annual celebration of the founding of our great nation, I feel my patriotic fervor rising. I’m proud to be a citizen of a nation founded on enlightenment principles, including a reliance on science and the ability of citizens to self-govern.
That self-government ideal recognizes that we all have an inherent freedom but, for the common good, we agree to limit our exercise of that freedom. Science means that the world operates in accord with basic organic laws, and that a better understanding of those laws would allow us to progress.
In America, despite our various differences, we have always been able to rise to challenges, to solve complex and difficult major crises. Winning World War I and World War II would be prime examples — my nation mobilizing as one for strong and sustained action.
But this year we are facing another great crisis, and we are failing. By the time you read this over 140,000 Americans will have died from COVID-19, more than any other nation by far. And it seems that there will be ongoing death and misery in America for months to come.
And why is that? To put it simply, we have abandoned certain founding principles. We have failed as a people to follow the few simple step — washing hands, keeping distance, wearing masks — that limit the ability of this terrible and deadly disease to spread. And why is that? We seem to have become unwilling to subordinate our personal freedom to the common good to gain control over this disease.
Is it too strong to say that America has become a failed state? I think not. The basic responsibility of a nation’s government is to provide for the safety and security of its citizens. Do you feel safe? I certainly do not. Our national leadership has failed to lead, attacking science rather than embracing it, and encouraging selfishness over citizenship.
Is this unique to America? Yes, it pretty much is. Most other nations addressed COVID-19 seriously and aggressively; their death rate fell and they are moving toward normal. Take sports, for example. In Europe, professional soccer leagues are back in action. In Japan and Korea, professional baseball leagues are active. In our nation, it is uncertain when, or even if, most professional or college sports will return.
Our nation is doing so poorly in its effort to address COVID-19 that Americans are banned from visiting Canada and Europe. That’s just stunning!
And what about our local leadership? We have our two area sheriffs — the Snaza brothers — Rob Snaza in Lewis County and John Snaza in Thurston County. Both state they have no intention of enforcing mandatory mask regulations, and one tells his followers, ironically, ”don’t be sheep.” Instead of using their authority to promote the common good, the Snazas seem to be promoting a scofflaw approach to protecting the public health. Isn’t requiring masks similar to the health and safety requirement that motorcycle riders wear helmets? I bet the Snazas are enforcing those regulations.
The coronavirus also brought out other fundamental issues for our nation. One is the absence of affordable health care for everyone. Isn’t it obvious now that we all have a stake in everyone getting good health care? The second issue is deep-seeded racism. Black and Latino Americans are dying at much higher rates than whites, further proof, if any were needed, of our nation’s failure to address adequately racial injustice.
The great irony here is that Trump’s signature campaign statement was “Make America Great Again.” By his actions and inactions, and those of his followers, the greatness of our nation is been tragically diminished.
George Walter is the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s environmental program manager and is a member of The Olympian’s 2020 Board of Contributors. He may be reached at gwalter5665@gmail.com.