Where’s the Social Distance?
May 30, 2020
Protests in Minneapolis
WHILE CONTINUING to enforce draconian restrictions on the normal, everyday activities of millions of people, public officials in major cities were suddenly indulgent toward human social needs this week.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot continued to allow non-essential stores to operate only at 25 percent capacity. But when it came to vengeful protestors inflamed with racial hatred, Lightfoot was open to people congregating:
We’re going to give people space to express themselves. That’s what we do in Chicago. But we won’t tolerate lawlessness, period.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently said the metropolis may never resume normal activity until there is a “cure.” But he welcomed protestors who walked arm-in-arm in the streets this week while most people still couldn’t return to their jobs:
Garcetti praised the actions of people who are coming out to protest, saying that the coronavirus shouldn’t stop calls for justice but that there should be order when doing so.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey insisted churches remain closed for months, but he made sure masks were distributed to protestors after the death of George Floyd, knowing full well they would not be “social distancing.” An official statement announced:
The City encourages everyone to exercise caution to stay safe while participating in demonstrations, including wearing masks and physical distancing as much as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The City has made hundreds of masks available to protesters this week.
“As much as possible.”
Was the general public ever told in the past two months that they should stay away from church and work and all social gatherings “as much as possible?”
