There is a handful of sane Republicans in the country, at least when it comes to the pandemic. Unfortunately, they are few and far between:
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) on Thursday blasted his fellow Republicans over their refusal to wear masks after New Hampshire state Rep. Dick Hinch (R) died from COVID-19.
During a press briefing, Sununu said Hinch’s death was a “cautionary tale” after the lawmaker attended an event with his GOP colleagues where they didn’t wear masks.
The governor emphasized the importance of facial coverings in preventing the spread of the virus.
“For those who are just out there doing the opposite just to make some ridiculous political point, it is horribly wrong,” Sununu said. “Please use your heads. Don’t act like a bunch of children, frankly.”
71-year-old Hinch died on December 9, one week after he was sworn in as New Hampshire House speaker. He had attended an indoor meeting with his fellow Republican lawmakers, all of whom declined to wear masks, approximately three weeks prior to his death. Four of those lawmakers became infected with COVID-19, though it is unclear if Hinch had contracted the virus from the event.
Here’s a US Congressman acting like one of those children Sununu describes:
This is where we are, people. This man believes he has a right to kill people. Because he is free.
By the way, it isn’t just right wingers. I have people in by family, one a far left Bernie supporter, who thinks this whole thing is overblown, won’t get the vaccine and laughs about people wearing masks because people die every year from car accidents. He is one of those white, middle-aged, male know-it-alls . You know the type. The other one is a woman who lives on the westside of LA and is a right wing, anti-vaxer, animal activist (yes, such a thing does exist — probably only in LA.) She believes this is all an encroachment on her personal freedom and refuses to take any precautions.
Why these people haven’t caught the virus is a mystery but if they do get it at some point they will surely spread it to more vulnerable people without a second thought. There is no talking to either one of them. The only thing you can do is avoid them.
Interestingly, the actual Donald Trump voters in my family are being far more careful. Most of them are older and have health problems so that’s part of it. I think they trust their doctors who are telling them they will die if they don’t observe the guidelines and wear masks.
I had thought that if everyone who respects science would get the vaccine all that would be left are the people who don’t and they would just infect each other rather than kill people who are trying to do the right thing. That’s not great but it’s more just than it is now. But apparently, people with immunodeficiencies, allergies, pregnant women and other vulnerable people may not be able to take the vaccine and will depend on herd immunity to protect them. So these people who refuse to wear masks or get the vaccine will still be putting them in danger. And that’s just not right.