Opinion: Time to fight the virus instead of each other

For months we’ve argued over whether it’s a “hoax” or “just like the flu.” Solutions range from “shelter in place” to “herd immunity.”

Some of the talking heads said, “It’s going to be over after the election anyway,” so we argued about whether we should trust the media.

And we’re still arguing, even after last weekend, when COVID-19 walked off the TV screen and stomped down our Main Street, slobbering and biting and knocking stuff over.

That’s when three dozen people were hospitalized at Clovis’ Plains Regional Medical Center with the virus. A half dozen were in intensive care.

In just the past 10 days, two Curry County residents died with the novel coronavirus. Roosevelt County lost three more; two more in Parmer County, one more in Bailey County, and one more in Quay County. In all, our region has lost 60 people to covid.

Curry and Roosevelt counties reported 154 new cases … on Friday.

In Lubbock, health officials reported 188 virus-related deaths through October. By Friday, that number had swelled to 287 and tents were housing patients in hospital parking lots. Hale County, where Plainview is located, has seen 23 virus-related deaths this month.

And still, when New Mexico’s governor locked us down for the second time since the pandemic began in March, too many friends and neighbors remain focused on “our rights,” “our freedom,” “our economy,” instead of “our health.”

We need to focus.

It’s true the politicians have been ineffective if not dangerous in pitting their cult-like followers against each other as they “lead” us through this health crisis.

The bigger problem is us. Why are we listening to advice from a president or a governor when the subject is science?

We’re the ones, willfully and defiantly, fueling COVID-19 by refusing to follow common-sense practices we should have learned from trying to avoid the common cold.

There is no need to cripple our economy. Neither Walmart, Mom & Pop shops, churches or restaurants are responsible for spreading the virus.

But there is a need to respect this disease. Shop online. Use curb-side services. Wear masks. Stay home when you’re sick. Avoid crowds.

New Mexico has seen more than 1,300 covid-related deaths now, and Texas more than 20,000. We all know somebody who’s been seriously ill because of the virus and most of us know somebody who’s died from it.

Nobody has to take the media’s word for it anymore; just visit a local hospital or funeral home.

COVID-19 is the enemy. It’s past time we started fighting it instead of each other.

— David Stevens

Publisher

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