Not all protests are created equal

Remember when people peacefully protested their respective state government's shelter-in-place orders as well as lockdown of businesses in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? They were essentially labeled as a danger to society.

Funny how that rhetoric disappeared during the nationwide protests of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. In fact, some medical "experts" flat out justified the latter demonstrations.

But the risks of congregating during a global pandemic shouldn't keep people from protesting racism, according to dozens of public health and disease experts who signed an open letter in support of the protests.

"White supremacy is a lethal public health issue that predates and contributes to COVID-19," the letter said.

Initially written by infectious disease experts at the University of Washington, the letter cited a number of systemic problems, from the disproportionately high rate at which black people have been killed by police in the U.S. to disparities in life expectancy and other vital categories — including black Americans' higher death rate from the coronavirus.

"Data is showing that blacks and Latinos have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in many states," said Nsoesie, who was not among the letter's signatories when NPR contacted her. "Racism is one of the reasons this disparity exists."

She continued, "Racism is a social determinant of health. It affects the physical and mental health of blacks in the U.S. So I wouldn't weigh these crises separately."

Local governments should not break up crowded demonstrations "under the guise of maintaining public health," the experts said in their open letter. They urged law enforcement agencies not to use tear gas, smoke and other irritants, saying they could make people more susceptible to infection and worsen existing health conditions.

The medical professionals also acknowledged the potential for COVID-19 cases to rise in the days to come, and they called for public health agencies to boost access to care and testing in affected communities.

For the record, I do NOT oppose the peaceful assembly of those protesting the Floyd tragedy. I think a lot of important issues are being highlighted (when they're not being drowned out by riots and looting that is) in an effort to unify the nation. However, these "experts" are essentially saying that if these demonstrators are willing to risk their personal health in an effort to bring attention to racial disparities, that should be supported wholeheartedly.

Again, that all sounds very noble. But there are some aspects of this pandemic which many Americans can't get past. Like those who wanted to risk their own health to go to work in order to earn money to support their families? Or others who wanted to visit their loved ones in a long-term care facility? People who wanted to congregate in a church for a worship service, wedding or funeral? And folks who wanted to seek medical care for a non-life threatening ailment that could evolve into life threatening? They were basically told to suck it up and that it wasn't about them. The issue was they risked infecting those with underlying health conditions with the coronavirus if everyone didn't stay in lockdown indefinitely. But if it's a protest for social justice, then all that concern is out the window.

I'm getting a real sense that regardless of what government officials are saying, this shelter-in-place nonsense has effectively ended.

------------------------------------------