On March 30, Gov. Carney issued his eighth emergency declaration, the latest in a series of exhortations to exercise social distancing to curb the spread of the coronavirus. But the warm, sunny day must have been too tempting for neighbors to resist having groups of friends over for backyard parties.
I was stunned and tried to understand why so many would defy public health warnings. As I watched hands dipping into communal bowls of corona chips and COVID curls, I started to understand.
There’s a guy on TV every evening telling us there is nothing to worry about. And if there does become something to worry about, then blame the Chinese. Or Obama. Problem solved, I guess. The day before, on March 29, I received a newsletter from Rich Collins, my state representative of the 41st District. Mr. Collins’ missive highlighted a link to an article from Off-Guardian: https://off-guardian.org/2020/03/24/12-experts-questioning-the-coronavirus-panic/ Twelve Experts Questioning the Coronavirus Panic.
So, these are the guys my neighbors are listening to. I was starting to understand my neighbors. And I started to understand the need for better leadership.
Why is a state leader downplaying one of the greatest threats to our collective local health and economy? Is it to align oneself with the woefully underprepared White House administration? Is it to plunge one’s head into the sand hoping it will be gone when you emerge gasping for air? I can only speculate. But this type of leadership reminds me of the classic movie, “Idiocracy,” about a dystopian future devoid of intellectual curiosity and social responsibility. Check it out!
Collins sent out another newsletter on April 2 including a Vox video containing warnings from Dr. Fauci that we need to commit to social distancing to fight this pandemic. Why the abrupt change in messaging, Mr. Collins? Is it because you can only understand a problem after it is too late?
I can be certain that somewhere between the time when the rising sea levels cause coal plant ash to leak into our beautiful bays, destroying all life in them, and when the surf laps up around Route 113 in Millsboro, leaders like Rep. Collins will be at the forefront with warnings of climate change.
We need leaders who are capable of vision and willing to confront harsh realities with well-thought-out policies. Our local community has very difficult decisions that need to be made. How do we balance the economic benefit of an expanding chicken processing industry with the need to protect our drinking water from the harmful effluent? How do we curb indiscriminate development that accelerates pollution of our waterways and damages sensitive ecosystems with thoughtful and effective buffer requirements? How do we implement state legislation that flattens the curve on harmful carbon emissions with forward-thinking renewable energy standards?
The finger-licking friends of my neighbor may not understand that they may pass a virus on to my neighbor, who then may pass it on to me at the supermarket.
But scientists do. Now, more than ever, we need leadership that has vision and relies on science. We cannot allow the denial and delays that have characterized our government’s response to the corona crises continue to jeopardize the habitability of our county and planet.
Both crises require our leaders to follow facts, listen to scientists, and take action on the dangers that confront our communities. Like COVID-19, climate change is the ultimate collective action problem.
Everyone has their reasons to be focused on the upcoming presidential election. Local elections matter too. A lot.
Tom Brett
Millsboro