Do you support this weekend’s protests which called for easing social distancing practices?

What is it?

• This past weekend, protesters in over a dozen states took to the streets demanding that their states reopen their economies – despite the huge public health risk the COVID-19 outbreak continues to pose.
• As social distancing practices continue to restrict everyday life, some groups have complained that their basic freedoms are under attack.
• In Kansas, for example, a federal judge temporarily blocked the governor’s order to limit religious gatherings as it may infringe upon the freedom of religion and freedom of speech. 

Why is it important?

• COVID-19 poses a huge danger to public health and therefore demands an equally strong response. In a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, a majority of Americans support current stay-at-home and social distancing policies to slow the spread of the virus. 
• However, it is important to protect the basic tenants of democracy to prevent government overreach as we have seen President Viktor Orban do in Hungary.
• This is not the first time the government has imposed restrictions on the general public – during WWII, a curfew and food rationing were imposed to support the war efforts abroad. Some similar sacrifices must be made by all in order to beat the global COVID-19 pandemic.

What can you do?

• Refresh yourself on the CDC’s social distancing guidelines and what to do if you experience COVID-19 have symptoms.
• Check out more information about the virus’s spread and impact by county from Facebook and Carnegie Melon University’s new COVID-19 Tracker.
• The National Conference of State Legislatures has information on what your state is doing regarding COVID-19.  

Photo: Alyson McClaran / Reuters