Right-wing protesters have continued to turn out against the social distancing orders that have been in effect in most states across the U.S. in attempts to stem the spread of the Coronavirus, which has killed tens of thousands of Americans and counting. If tens of thousands had died in the U.S. from just about any other means, right-wingers would likely have no problem with shutting down certain aspects of the economy in order to protect American lives, but — perhaps since they can’t see and shoot at the virus — they’ve been flipping out. During a Fox News Sunday appearance this weekend, White House Coronavirus response task force member Dr. Deborah Birx spoke out against the protesters, noting the dangerous potential that they spread the virus to vulnerable people.
Birx told Fox host Chris Wallace:
‘It’s devastatingly worrisome to me personally because if they go home and they infect their grandmother or grandfather who has a comorbid condition and they have a serious or very unfortunate outcome they will feel guilty for the rest of their lives. So we need to protect each other at the same time as we’re voicing our discontent.’
"Devastatingly worrisome" is how Dr Birx described scenes of protesters not socially distancing and not wearing masks. She says some may unknowingly infect others who will have poor outcomes. A public health comment and not about their right to protest.
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) May 3, 2020
Well over 1.1 million Coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the U.S., so it’s far from contained. Yet, antagonistic demonstrators have been turning out in large groups in which the virus could spread anyway. In one high-profile incident, armed, screaming demonstrators stormed the Michigan state capitol building to make their, uh, voices heard.
If the social distancing measures that people have been clamoring against are prematurely lifted, even more Americans could die, and last Thursday, the U.S. already hit the dismal point of a record over 2,900 Coronavirus deaths in a single day, according to data from the World Health Organization.
The Trump administration, including Dr. Birx, has outlined guidelines for states to use when plotting their reopening strategies including two weeks of consistently declining cases. None of the states that have already moved towards reopening have seen that sought after decline.
Asked if she’s “worried” about the effects of a “patchwork reopening” and if the federal government should institute some kind of binding provisions for states to use when plotting their paths for reopening, Birx told host Chris Wallace:
‘Well I think federal guidelines are pretty firm policy of what we think is important from a public health standpoint. We also made it possible for states to open counties independently of the entire state… as states reopen, we want them to follow the gating criteria, but we also made it clear to the American people, this is what you need to continue to do to protect yourself. You need to continue to social distance.’
Watch below:
WALLACE: More than half the states have started reopening, but not a single one has met the guidelines of 2 weeks of decline in new coronavirus cases. Are you worried?
BIRX: "Federal guidelines are pretty firm policy of what we think is important from a public health standpoint" pic.twitter.com/4O5lWQJZIE
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 3, 2020
Birx sounds like she is imagining that certain leaders around the country are so useless towards the aim of protecting public health that Americans need to go it alone, essentially, and plan on protecting themselves apart from whatever their leaders happen to do — or not do.
President Donald Trump himself has been among those clamoring against social distancing demands. He has even insisted that his followers should “liberate” certain states with lockdown orders.
