Locals Protest Against Mesa County Public Health Restrictions
It seems appropriate considering this is 2020 - the year of the protest.
A group of people got together on Saturday at Mesa County Public Health to express their displeasure with level red restrictions that came down recently in the on-going battle against COVID-19.
Throughout Mesa County, around the state, and across the nation, COVID numbers are surging while health officials try desperately to get the virus under control, but, seemingly without success. The nation remains divided on how to deal with the pandemic - to fight or not to fight - and it's highly unlikely that there will ever be agreement on what the best strategy is.
There are valid and legitimate arguments on both sides.
On the one hand, it seems obvious our economy can't handle another widespread shutdown and small business owners are already hurting -with many forced out of business and others struggling mightily to stay afloat. I feel so bad for them.
Even big business is taking a hit, whether it be professional sports, live events, or the movie industry among others. An overwhelming majority of individuals who contract the virus recover without major complications, which makes it difficult for some to take the whole thing seriously. Plus, there has been disagreement even among experts on the best and proper virus strategy. I understand the frustration.
By the same token, more than a quarter of a million Americans have died from COVID, hospitals are full, lives have been disrupted, and countless numbers of Americans remain at risk. Many people live with someone who has an underlying health condition and the last thing they want to do is bring the virus home to a compromised individual. Nobody wants to lose a loved one prematurely. These people may not have personal health concerns but are committed to doing their part to keep others safe.
How do we navigate this slippery slope? How do we protect the most vulnerable while allowing citizens to move about freely in their everyday lives without penalizing business owners that are just trying to make a living and pay their bills? Does it have to be one way or the other?
Many people simply don't want to be told what to do. They feel like the government is trying to control its citizens and interfere in their private lives. Wearing a mask should be a personal choice, they say. Those who have underlying health conditions should take precautions, but everyone else should not live under restrictions.
It seems like if we could all get on the same page for just a short time, perhaps, we could get the victory over COVID-19. But, there's no indication that's ever going to happen. Maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe we can't fight it. Maybe we are all doomed to get the virus and just have to deal with it and the consequences? Maybe most of us survive, but some of us don't? Is it a case of survival of the fittest? Is that what this is coming to?
Truly, I see both sides of this issue, and I also believe that Mesa County Public Health and Governor Jared Polis are working toward what they feel is in the best interest of the people they serve. We may not agree with their methods or reasoning, but I believe their intentions are good.
There are no easy answers and I'm not even sure there is a right answer. It looks like we are all going to have to agree to disagree until this pandemic comes to an end, and hopefully, that is sooner rather than later. Perhaps hindsight will give us the answers that elude us at the present.
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