The Issue With Protesting Stay At Home Orders (And Why It Isn’t Considered Oppression)
By Summer Wadleigh
Across America, the previous months have been collectively made up of limited human contact and making the necessary efforts to stay inside. To most, these are logical precautions that would remain unquestioned in the midst of a global pandemic, though there have been some outliers. Controversy can’t help but accompany any global issue, as each person carries a different perspective revolving COVID-19, something that has affected the lives of an immense amount of people throughout the world. Though as of recently, Americans have been practicing their rights through protesting the implemented stay at home orders and refusing to take even the simplest form of health measures such as wearing a mask. This article will be breaking down both the medical and the political issue with this form of protest, as well as how these claims of oppression are actually made out of privilege.
Firstly, I do want to acknowledge that not every protestor is advocating for the insignificant aspects of staying at home, such as the “need” for haircuts. Some are struggling in making a living as people lose the jobs that provided them with the financial support that they need to survive. As salient as this matter is, protesting only increases the likelihood that this issue will remain relevant far into the future. The fastest way to recover from the virus without a second wave would be to abide by the guidelines we’ve been given now, rather than using your ability to protest as a form of unnecessary defiance. These precautions have been suggested for no other reason than the fact that they have been working as seen in other countries. For example, through surveillance, quarantine, social distancing, and the use of masks, Hong Kong was able to contain its wave of COVID-19 to 4 deaths out of the over one thousand people who were initially diagnosed. America, as well as other heavily infected countries, have been replicating these methods in hopes that the country can begin its recovery as soon as possible. Though this cannot be done through blatant disregard and ignorance, but through taking the risk that this pandemic holds seriously, and keeping yourself and others safe.
Aside from the existing health risks that follow actively protesting during a pandemic, there is also an underlying social matter. As most know, this pandemic is not the first, nor the most necessary thing that has been protested in this country, and how law enforcement has been reacting to it has raised a question of racial inequality. The entire nation has been in a state of urgency as of the last few months, thus instigating these newfound protests. But those who go throughout America in a consistent struggle such as minority groups (women, people of color, and lgbtq people), are being undermined, yet treated far more harshly than their non-mask wearing, typically white counterparts. For example, some protesters are displaying their form of quarantine rebellion through open carrying at these gatherings, posing as a potential threat to any law enforcement that may be policing the protest. Though, in many of these media sources (pictures, videos, etc) police officers are seen standing by, not attempting to intervene with the situation. Though men of the same occupation have felt this need to intervene with unarmed black people, such as Keith Childress, who was shot after being perceived of having an “unknown object”, that turned out to be his cell phone. Minority groups are often protesting for their basic right to exist, yet they are not met with the same patience as those who have been protesting the stay at home orders.
Similarly, there is a certain type of privilege that accompanies the naive mindset one must have to want to protest the orders that have been established in hopes of containing our cases. The impact that COVID-19 has had on families is immeasurable, as people have lost their parents, their siblings, and even their children. If someone feels that it is safe enough to go out and protest, or are a part of the group that deny the existence of the virus altogether, you clearly have not seen these tragic affects firsthand. Realistically, if someone you cared for grew increasingly sick, leading to their eventual passing, there would be no room for denial. The economic issues that the coronavirus imposes are not at the cost of protesting around mass groups of people and prolonging the spread of this illness.
In essence, the protest of stay at home orders is about far more than economic stability. It is about people that are not used to this level of control over their actions, thus feeling the need to practice their rights where it is not necessary. Going against these orders will only reverse all of the progress that has been achieved thus far out of their sole self interest. If I’m adding my own opinion as authentically as possible, there are more important issues that have needed our attention, that needed our protests and our riots. The fact that many people are only gathering now, when something isn’t benefiting them specifically, is upsetting. But nonetheless, COVID-19 is a time for ensuring safety for yourself and your loved ones, rather than participating in a protest that pushes you further away from your desired result.
Sources:
- nature.com
- mappingpoliceviolence.org