Not following rules makes virus more dangerous
Residents should abide by rules set up by governor
Hello. My name is Parker Burleson and I am 13 years old. I am a Boy Scout with Troop 417 in Rio Rancho and I am writing this letter to fulfill a requirement for the Communications merit badge, which is required for Eagle.
I am concerned about the effects of COVID-19 and considering reasons why some people within the community and state are not taking it as seriously as they should be, given that it is infecting so many people.
I live primarily with my dad in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, but also spend limited time with my mom and grandmother at their house in Rio Rancho. Even within my family, the two different households I spend time at handle things differently.
The issue is important to me because my dad takes immunosuppressants because he had a kidney transplant several years ago. Furthermore, my grandfather in Rio Rancho was exposed to COVID-19 and passed away not too long ago.
I believe that COVID-19 is even more dangerous because of the people who choose not to abide by our governor’s state-issued mandates concerning masks, group gathering sizes, closures and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
It is troubling that those who choose not to abide by these orders include citizens, business owners, church leaders, government officials and law enforcement.
Manny Gonzales, the Bernalillo County sheriff, and other law enforcement officials statewide do not agree with the mask mandate or stay-at-home orders and therefore have decided that they would not enforce those orders. I think that these acts are irresponsible because members of law enforcement are supposed to protect people. If they will not abide by or enforce these orders or guidelines, then they are not protecting people, but endangering them.
The job of law enforcement is to enforce the laws in order to protect the public, not to determine which ones they disagree with and ignore them.
Citizens do not have this option, so why should they? Why are these officers, officials, business owners and citizens not being held accountable?
Thank you for your time.