In my opinion, Trump is taking his cue from recent events. Apparently, he assumes that the exercise of First Amendment Rights in Political Rallies is as essential to the nation’s health as it is in the ongoing political Protests Against Racism. Considering the size of the Trump base in America, he may have a point.
Over 1000 health professionals and doctors from across the country recently signed an open letter regarding the George Floyd protests. They argued that although Covid-19 infections are a risk, the protestor’s First Amendment rights are more relevant to the nation’s health than the mitigation of the virus. Therefore they should be allowed to continue – notwithstanding the lockdown mandates for everyone else.
This line of thinking is in accord with the response of Canadian Government officials and the Canadian Media to the recent protests in Vancouver, and the one in Ottawa which Prime Minister Trudeau attended.
The problem is that the support numbers for the Trump Rallies look like they will far exceed those of the ongoing Protests. Over 1 million people have signed up for tickets to the first one in Tulsa, Oklahoma – and this for just one Rally, in one State. Fortunately, the Tulsa facility will only accommodate a small percentage of the people who have applied to go. Masks will be distributed, and temperature checks will be administered.
Let’s hope the dire prediction of a ‘perfect storm’ made by Bruce Dart, the executive director of the Tulsa health department, does not materialize.
It seems that such predictions, and the ensuing directives relating to the Lockdown, are coming from unelected Public Health officials. In Ontario, 34 Local Health Officials are reportedly controlling the rate at which the Ford administration can proceed with the reopening of the provincial economy. A recent National Post Article harshly criticized their level of influence.
Are unelected Public Health Officials influencing policy the Federal level as well, such as Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent decision to extend the Canada/US border restriction for another 30 days until July 21st, 2020?
In the USA, opposition to Public Health officials has also been reported. Some of them have been fired, as new information surfaces regarding apparent misinterpretation of data and the use of flawed computer models to justify state lockdowns.
We’re all going to have to live with the consequences of decisions based on ‘guidance’ from Health Officials and Health Organizations for the foreseeable future. Many equivocations and contradictory statements have been circulating in the media since this crisis began. Is it any wonder that more and more people are beginning to question the “novel coronavirus” narrative.
Dol Bok – June 17, 2020