By putting themselves in harm’s way, they are thoughtlessly dragging ME and my fellow front-line workers into harm’s way, too.
“Y’all, as a nurse working in a COVID unit, these protests are the most demoralizing thing to happen throughout this whole damn experience. Yes, it’s been gut-wrenching watching patients struggle for breath while unable to see their loved ones. Yes, it’s been scary wondering if our dwindling supply of protective gear will last, and if the flimsy barrier masks are even adequate to protect us. Yes, it’s been hard knowing that, because of my work, I will have to self-isolate for pretty much as long as I continue caring for COVID patients (which I guarantee will be WAY longer than any state order) to ensure I don’t asymptomatically spread this seriously terrible virus to people I care about. All of that sucks.
“But through it all, I’ve felt hopeful about the incredible solidarity and self-sacrifice and ingenuity and creativity I’ve seen in people’s response to this situation. But these protests are corrosive to that hope. Not only would their demands lead to a spike in deaths, but the protesters are actively putting themselves in harm’s way by gathering like this. And by putting themselves in harm’s way, they are thoughtlessly dragging ME and my fellow front-line workers into harm’s way, too. They are creating further strain on our healthcare system when we can least afford it, and they are risking the lives of people I love. Just STOP already. I know this whole thing sucks, but pull on your big-kid pants and join the rest of us in working together to fight the virus, not each other. THAT is what patriotism looks like.”
— M. Watkins, nurse, Madison, WI., “ReOpen Wisconsin” Protest: No Permit, No Porta-Potties
(Commoner Call photo by Mark L. Taylor, 2020.Open source and free for non-derivative use with link to www.thecommonercall.org )
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Fox News Gets Push-Back For Supporting Anti-Shutdown Protests
Morning Edition / NPR (4/22/20)
The new anti-shutdown protests springing up across the country are similar to the early Tea Party movement, including anti-authority agendas, hidden patrons and support from prominent Fox News stars.