The Pandemic Isn't Over Yet, No Matter How Much We Want to Believe It
Murjani Rawls The RootALSO SEE: Some Travelers Celebrate, but Health Experts
Worry After a Judge Voids the Federal Mask Mandate
As some cheer about the repeal of the mask mandate for public travel, recent history has shown us we don't get to decide when the pandemic is done
The judge who issued the ruling was Trump appointee U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle who, by the way, the American Bar Association deemed unqualified for her role due to her lack of experience. This one person made a broad decision on public health and stated in her decision, “Wearing a mask means nothing.” However, I bet it means something to the immunocompromised person trying to do everything in their power not to get sick, or the child who is under five who can’t get vaccinated yet.
Somewhere along the way, we decided that looking out for each other was too much of a burden. During the height of the pandemic, many people took to their balconies and clapped for hospital workers as they exited their shifts, honoring their courage in the face of a devastating virus. Now it appears the nation would rather take the advice of podcast hosts over doctors, all in the name of individualism.
The message seems to be, “you’re on your own, now.” There will be no stimulus or hazard pay to insulate those who will feel the brunt of another wave – primarily people of color who can’t afford to take off work to get the care they need.
So, we’ll repeat the same mistakes in the third year of the pandemic – costing us more money and disabling many more people that didn’t have to be. To move into a world where COVID can be manageable, we have to acknowledge that we haven’t done everything to make this one better for everyone – that’s on a personal and government institution level.
Having to wear a mask is not a blight on our American rights, but COVID infection could be. For now, at least, I guess we’ll see each other’s smiling faces packed tightly on hourlong flights because, what could possibly go wrong?