Written by Michael Palomba
With the COVID-19 crisis still very much at hand, one may wonder what effect the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests and riots have had in spreading the virus. KUSI News inquired about this, posting “Do you think our local health officials should begin asking those who get tested if they have been participating in protests?” on their Facebook page.
This is an extremely valid question to ask. After all, Democratic officials across the country have been preaching that we need to social distance as much as possible. It seemed like the tune changed with the BLM movement gaining some momentum. County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher responded to KUSI’s inquiry, claiming that they were promoting “more divisive non-sense” and asserted that contract tracers ask about protest involvement for all positive cases.
More divisive non-sense from @KUSINews. Contact tracers do this for all positive cases. They know that but thrive on creating conflict and hostility during a public health crisis. https://t.co/gPxQOBFXsP
— Nathan Fletcher (@nathanfletcher) June 26, 2020
First off, KUSI was not being divisive by simply asking if protesters and rioters should be tested. But to add insult to injury, Fletcher blatantly lied in his response.
County Health Officer Wilma Wooten openly said that people being tested for coronavirus are not being asked if they attended any protests.
San Diego County Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten says people who are getting tested for coronavirus are not being asked if they attended any of the protests.
Instead, Wooten says getting tested "is the recommendation" for the protesters.
More info: https://t.co/8kfv86w95s pic.twitter.com/g9csE7a3FU
— KUSI News (@KUSINews) June 17, 2020
Fletcher later tweeted that no outbreaks have been tied to protests.
We have not seen ANY outbreaks tied to protests.
This includes the re-opening protests (want to get a hair cut) and the #BlackLivesMatter protests (want to not die).
We have seen them tied to bars, restaurants, house parties, offices, social clubs and other related activities.
— Nathan Fletcher (@nathanfletcher) June 29, 2020
By contrast, County Supervisor Jim Desmond, during an interview with KUSI, said that only “20 or 30 people” who tested positive have indicated they participated in a protest.
But according to Fletcher, friends having a barbecue or meeting at a winery is causing outbreaks, but massive protests with thousands of people shouting in close proximity to one another doesn’t spread the virus. And he wonders why people are treating his demands for reclosing businesses with some skepticism.
The blatant double standard regarding social distancing needs to come to an end. Democrats nationwide are condemning any sort of social gathering—including religious services—but in the same sentence endorse crowded BLM protests. It’s extremely hypocritical, and enough is enough.
