By DAVE WESTER | Baraboo, Wis.
Demonstrations against Covid-19 social-distancing orders are composed mostly of younger white people, many wearing red hats that should be emblazoned with the slogan, “Make America Sick Again.” Black, brown and elderly people are scarce at the demonstrations. They are more likely to be sickened or killed by the coronavirus. They have the most to fear from its resurgence.
It is understandable that people are anxious to return to work. It is cruel that some are willing to sacrifice our black, brown, and elderly populations in order to do so. Black and brown people, however, have long been targets of the Trump administration.
Health experts are nearly unanimous in stressing the importance of maintaining social distancing until we have proper testing and a vaccine or cure. Most local newspapers have been supporting that view. Those that carry Michael Reagan’s columns, however, have recently published some of the most bone-headed, anti-science opinion in the state. Articles that denigrate science and medical research appeal to President Trump’s supporters.
Reagan’s columns have been irresponsible, and so have the newspapers that publish them. Since nearly all south-central Wisconsin newspapers are under the same ownership, however, don’t expect to see criticism. Support those local newspapers that are not part of the monopoly, such as the Richland (Center) Observer, the Reedsburg Independent, and if you want to see some of the best editorials in a weekly, the County Line from Ontario, Wis.