Coronavirus and Protests: Social Distancing Issues
We’re living in different times now and we must adjust to the new normalcy of our lives. Coronavirus. Social Distancing. Masks. Protests. What do all of these have in common? The fact that each of these elements are affecting our communities differently. The Coronavirus has left its footprint and we adjusted by wearing our masks and staying at least 6-feet apart from each other. However, protests and riots broke out, just as our states are beginning to open back up, and gives cause for the virus to worsen.
As we continue to see the protests take place around the United States, we are forced to face the question: What happened to social distancing? Not to mention the lack of masks being worn. While the majority of states are in the first phases of reopening, it is still not recommended to have large groups of people together, especially closer together than the 6-feet rule. According to the Washington Post, Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, which has been the epicenter of the protests, addressed protestors. “We are still in the middle of a pandemic,” said Walz, and went on to describe the hospitals that are “on the verge of being overrun.”
So what does all of this mean? Americans were already tired of being isolated and scared of the virus. Protests were already happening to protest the stay-at-home orders. Therefore, when a major event occurs, such as the death of George Floyd, Americans feel that they have a solid reason to disobey the set regulations to fight for their cause. Supposedly, the Coronavirus is still a threat, yet we are not hearing as much about it in the news. Additionally, most protesters have decided to complete a 14-day quarantine when they return from their rallies, but this does not save anyone from the virus or prevent hospitals from being overrun, considering it is a perfect breeding ground for the virus. Pretty stupid, huh?
Looking forward, states will open back up in the coming weeks, however, the blatant disobedience of the guidelines may be a setback. After the protests have calmed, numbers will continue to rise and hospital intake will increase. New York’s Governor, Andrew Cuomo said it best, “we just spent 93 days limiting behavior, closing down, no school, no business, thousands of small businesses destroyed. And now? Mass gatherings, with thousands of people, in close proximity? What sense does that make?”
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