Responsibility in the face of a pandemicDate: 3/16/2020 We’re running quite few stories about the pandemic and we are trying to walk, what I think, is a responsible line.
We want to tell our readers what is happening locally – the precautions health officials have advised and postponements of various activities.
Our goal is to inform, not to panic people.
There is already plenty of fear to go around. You can see it in grocery stores with people hoarding various items. You can see it on social media, where people are posting misinformation such as you can kill the virus by flushing it with water into your stomach where the acids will kill it.
Just to repeat, the previous sentence is complete crap. You cannot kill the virus that way. Again, it’s simply wrong.
You can see it with fringe-types such as Alex Jones and Jim Bakker claiming they have products that can kill the virus. Again, it’s not real. They don’t have such products but wish to panic people into buying them.
The last thing we need is people using the pandemic as some sort of way of either making money or pushing an agenda.
So, I was shocked when I read the fundraising email sent by Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, who as you know, is running for the Democratic nomination for the First Congressional District seat against Richard Neal.
The email on March 11 read as follows: “Gov. Baker just declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“There have been more than 90 reported cases of coronavirus in Massachusetts, with more than 1,000 reported cases in the country. Infuriatingly, the response from the Trump administration has been slow and inadequate.
“As a result, uninsured sick people could pay hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket to simply get tested for the virus. I believe that everyone should have access to COVID-19 testing and treatment for free.
“This crisis demonstrates why we need to pass Medicare for All. Universal healthcare would ensure that a medical crisis like this one would not disproportionately hit working families and the uninsured harder. If you believe in policies like Medicare for All, then please invest $15 now into our movement.
“Our federal leaders had significant warning of the virus’ spread, yet waited until it had hit our shores to begin formulating a plan to respond. Now, weeks and more than 1,000 official cases later, we still do not have one.
“This is a public health crisis. The first step in combating this crisis is to ensure that every single person who calls this country home has access to the healthcare they need. Our healthcare system is only as strong as the sickest in our country.
“Join our grassroots movement now to help me win so that we can finally pass Medicare for All.”
Does Morse have a point about our lack of planning? Yes, I would readily agree with that. Should we be discussing our broken health insurance system? Yes to that as well. Should we be including Medicare for All in the discussion? Yes.
Should someone tie a contribution to a political campaign to a pandemic? No, absolutely not.
Frankly, I was dismayed – to say the least – by such an approach.
In the next several weeks many aspects of American life and commerce will be affected by COVID-19. People will be inconvenienced and businesses will be disrupted. Many people will face financial challenges.
This is not a time to panic. This is not a time to sow panic. This is a time to help each other and be considerate. We need to understand that while we might be okay, our neighbors may not be.
Here’s a suggestion, that is floating around social media and one that is valid: buy a gift card from a local business. They would appreciate the cash and you can appreciate the services or goods when life resumes to being normal.
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