Readers Write: Don’t tread on me

The Island Now

I’m tired of seeing figures on the number of U.S. COVID-19 cases, number of U.S. deaths, number of hospital beds occupied, not to mention the figures for European and Asian nations.

More importantly, I’m sick of being quarantined watching T.V., going stir crazy and not enjoying the great outdoors. However, I, dutifully, wear my mask don my gloves and keep six feet between myself and anyone who walks by me.

But I need to understand why this is happening – obviously, the answer is our president who has only made matters worse.

In a previous letter, I wrote that he had “blood on his hands.” But I want to know why he has no national strategy. Here is a point frequently overlooked by the pundits who get paid to comment on these matters.

The best explanation lies in our tradition of local control and states’ rights. Remember when Trump told governors that it was up to them to re-open the economy.

But it isn’t simply governors. Americans feel more comfortable when orders come from mayors and county executives.

The closer we are to our leaders in Washington, the less our democracy flourishes, And what has this led to?

A complete lack of a national strategy. This is the laissez-faire at its worst!

Why do Americans stand for this? Because it is part of our heritage – part of our culture.  It’s the 2nd amendment supporters who worry that without guns our government will take away all rights from our citizenry.

I suspect it goes back to the Gadsen flag with a picture of a rattlesnake, coiled body and fangs bared and the words “Don’t Tread on Me.”

So we ignore the lessons we have learned about how other which nations have beaten the pandemic. And we cling to anachronistic notions about “fear of big government.” And so we watch number of dead rise each day!

Why this fear of government? Have we had no experience before with this phenomenon? We know we can’t drive a car without a license issued by the state? And every child in America must take injections to prevent disease. And who doesn’t pay income tax in return for governmental services?

So if we are interested in historical precedent, we have many examples. Now is the time to demand a course correction in our dealing with COVID-19.

Dr. Hal Sobel

Great Neck

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