This past weekend, the stay-at-home orders set in place to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus had some small groups across the country taking to the streets to protest.
Organized by a coalition of influential conservative leaders and groups, the protests were a clear attempt to fire up Trump’s base and foment conflict—despite the fact that 60 percent of Americans are concerned social distancing will end too soon, and 76 percent of Republicans believe we are doing the right amount of social distancing or think we should do more, according to an April 20 Navigator poll.
However, in Denver, Colorado, some demonstrators were met with counter-protestors: healthcare workers.
As protesters gathered at the Capitol to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the orders—waving flags and signs and honking their car horns—a group of health care workers dressed in scrubs and wearing protective masks stood inside of crosswalks in front of protestors’ cars to stop them from moving forward with their protest.
Although they did not provide their names, the health care workers said they decided to counter-protest to remind us all why the shutdown orders are in place.
One protestor stuck her head out of her car and shouted, “This is a free country. This is the land of the free. Go to China!”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has issued a stay-at-home order in effect until April 26. Demonstrations such as these have occurred in several states including Texas, Michigan, Virginia and California.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed her dismay with the demonstrators—saying she couldn’t understand why many are objecting to the shelter-in-place orders.
“The fact is, we’re all impatient. We all want out. But what they’re doing is really unfortunate,” Pelosi told Fox News on Sunday.
The president’s economic advisor Stephen Moore, however, expressed a different opinion on the protestors, saying, “I call these people the modern-day Rosa Parks. They are protesting against injustice and a loss of liberties.”
As of April 21, the United States has reported more than 823,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 44,000 deaths.
The coronavirus pandemic and the response by federal, state and local authorities is fast-moving. During this time, Ms. is keeping a focus on aspects of the crisis—especially as it impacts women and their families—often not reported by mainstream media. If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting our independent reporting and truth-telling for as little as $5 per month.
