San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
COVID-19 no hoax
Re: “Claim that virus is hoax draws scorn from Dems,” May
24:
I understand that in this hyperpolitically charged environment, it is easy to separate each and every issue into the right versus left foray that is amplified by the media. I also comprehend how enticing it may be to voice pent-up frustration when provided an audience of like minds. After all, there is empowerment in numbers and a groundswell of hubris knowing you are delivering red meat to the lions waiting for supper.
As a lifelong Republican and conservative, I am truly embarrassed by the message Cynthia Brehm, Bexar County party chairwoman, sent insinuating that COVID-19 is a hoax permeated by the Democratic Party. If that statement wasn’t laughable enough, she doubles down by making a further outlandish claim that “all of this has been promulgated by the Democrats to undo all the good that President Trump has done for our country, and they are worried.”
Now more than ever, this country needs political leaders with rational sense to know the fine line between entertainment and guidance. Brehm’s obvious hubris and poor choice of words denigrates all that those of us who have sacrificed during sheltering have worked so hard to achieve. There are many of us who struggled with businesses and family welfare believing we were complying for the betterment of our community and the safety of citizens. Not once have I heard President Donald Trump or Gov. Greg Abbott claim COVID-19 is a hoax.
Brehm finished her rally speech by espousing, “So take off your masks, exercise your constitutional rights. Stand up, speak up, and vote Republican.”
I know she probably didn’t think she was having a senior “Biden” moment, but those of us wearing our masks in public, continuing to practice social distancing and following the guidelines for a staged reopening of our state are still good enough to be called “Republicans.”
Ms. Brehm, at a time when the swing vote throughout the country will truly matter, please don’t give rise to those questioning the competency or soundness of Republican principle by making such foolish and outlandish statements in public! not being selfish. They just don’t believe it protects me from them.
Obviously, if the mask was like a hard hat and its only purpose was in protecting the wearer, their logic would make sense. But if it’s to protect those around you — it’s not excusable to go maskless. It’s the law of the commons.
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