From the BBC:
“Coronavirus lockdown protest:
What's behind the US demonstrations?”
Across the country, groups of
Americans are taking to the streets in protest of lockdown orders aimed at
limiting the spread of Covid-19. Why? The US now has over 761,000 cases and
more than 40,000 deaths, with numbers still rising, though signs have emerged
that infection rates are slowing in some states. Some states are beginning to
ease restrictions, re-opening parks, beaches and some small businesses in the
coming days, but most of the US remains under some form of stay-at-home order. In
over a dozen states from coast to coast, protesters have taken to the streets,
blocking roads and honking car horns.
Why are they protesting?: Those taking to the streets say that the
stringent measures restricting movement and businesses are unnecessarily
hurting citizens. Protesters say the stay-at-home measures imposed by state
governments to control the spread of Covid-19 are an overreaction. Some have
also come bearing firearms as gun rights groups have been among the organisers,
citing infringements on civil liberties. Some also say keeping these
restrictions in place too long will cause long-term damage to local economies. As
of last week, the total number of unemployment claims in the nation reached
over 22 million - overturning decades of US job growth. Many cite President
Trump's caution that the cure cannot be worse than the disease itself. But not everyone wants to see all restrictions
eased immediately: some groups have also called for quarantining just the
vulnerable, more testing to get people back to work or redefining
"essential" businesses.
Demonstrations have occurred in
over a dozen states:
Michigan, Ohio,. North Carolina, Minnesota,
Utah, Virginia, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Oregon. Maryland . Idaho. Texas, Arizona, Colorado,
Montana, Washington, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania
These states are led by both
Republican and Democratic governors.
How many people are protesting?: Protests have varied in size across the
country - from a few dozen protesters in Virginia and Oregon to rallies of
thousands in Michigan and Washington state. On Sunday, Washington state saw one of the
largest demonstrations, with some 2,500 protesters gathering at the capital in
Olympia. The state was the early epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in the US. In
Colorado, hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters were met with a counter protest
by a few healthcare workers, who, dressed in scrubs, blocked traffic at
crossroads. Hundreds in Arizona took to their cars to create a gridlock around
the capitol building in Phoenix. Idaho, Maryland, Texas and Indiana saw similar
gatherings of hundreds.
Who are the protesters?: The organisers behind these protests have
largely been conservative, pro-Trump and pro-gun activists. US media have
described many of these demonstrations as reminiscent of Trump campaign events,
with pro-Trump banners, t-shirts, and signs aplenty. Signs calling for freedom over tyranny have
also been staples of these protests. Governors have been likened to kings or
dictators. "Give me liberty or give me death," a quote harkening back
to the American Revolution has also been a popular mantra. Not all those
attending are affiliated to organisations - many are simply frustrated by the
lockdown strangling their ability to make a living. But far-right groups and
militias have also made their presence known at some demonstrations. The rally outside the state capitol in Austin,
Texas, was in part fuelled by fans of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who was
seen shaking hands with protesters. Amid chants of "let us work" were
calls to "fire [Dr Anthony] Fauci", the US infectious disease chief
on the White House taskforce, the New York Times reported. As John Roland, a
militia leader in Illinois, told the BBC: "Re-open my state or we will
re-open it ourselves."
What has Trump said?: President Donald Trump and his White House
have expressed seemingly opposing views on the protests. Last week, Mr Trump
and his Covid-19 taskforce unveiled new guidance to begin re-opening state
economies. That guidance recommends
three phases of slowly easing restrictions on businesses and social life, with
each phase lasting at least two weeks. The recommendations also include
maintaining some social distancing, access to testing and contact tracing. But
a day after the administration's plan was announced, the president tweeted the
slogans of the "Liberate" protests in several Democratic-run states. On
Sunday, the president offered a conflicting message again, telling reporters
"some governors have gone too far", and later specifically calling
out Michigan and Virginia. "Some of the things that happened are maybe not
so appropriate," Mr Trump said. "In the end, it's not going to matter
because we're starting to open up our states. And I think they're going to open
up very well." Of the protesters, Mr Trump said: "Their life was
taken away from them." "These people love our country, they want to
get back to work."
What's the reaction?: While these protests may illustrate the
concerns of some Americans, especially those in rural parts of the country,
they do not reflect the overall public opinion. A Pew Research Center survey
last week found 66% of Americans are concerned that restrictions will be lifted
too quickly, as opposed to 32% who are worried they will not be lifted soon
enough. In addition, the survey found most of the country - regardless of party
affiliation - believes the worst of the pandemic is yet to come. US public
health experts and many state leaders have continued to stress the importance
of social distancing, justifying the measures protesters have taken issue with.
On Monday, Facebook announced it would
remove event listings for anti-lockdown protests in California, New Jersey and
Nebraska as they violated state government orders. State governors have also
responded to the protesters and Mr Trump's apparent support. Washington state's
Jay Inslee, a Democrat, said the president was "fomenting domestic
rebellion". Republican Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland also weighed in,
telling CNN: "I don't think it's helpful to encourage demonstrations and
encourage people to go against the president's own policy."
^ I believe that some States and
even some regions within some States could be reopened safely (ie. not New York
City or the immediate surrounding areas, but the majority of the rest of New
York State.) There is no need for closures – especially in areas that aren’t
hit as bad. This pandemic should be treated like a natural disaster – where we
only isolate the affected area and not the whole State or Country. With that
said the places that do open should continue to require Social Distancing in
outside places (like beaches and parks) and inside places (like stores and
restaurants.) People should also need to wear masks. There should be fines and other
punishments for anyone who doesn’t do that. As for these protesters. They may
have a basically good idea (to not restrict everyone especially in areas with
limited Covid-19 cases) but they are not showing themselves or their cause in
an intelligent way – a way that would be taken seriously but non-militia
members. It doesn't help that Trump is fueling the flames. If the protesters came out and showed that they could follow Social
Distancing and mask-wearing regulations then I think people would be more
inclined to listen to them, but when they come out wearing guns, holding
Confederate flags and shouting racist and other bad things their credibility
becomes less than zero. Ordinary Americans only see these protesters as a bunch
of in-bred hillbillies. To open more areas of the country that aren’t a
hot-spot we need normal, everyday Americans that can show they can wear masks,
stay 6 feet apart, etc. when they are at stores, at work, outside, etc. That
will show there are responsible men and women that can open-up the United
States and keep themselves and others safe at the same time. ^
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