Looks like
the Republican Governor of Indiana has learned nothing from his neighbor in
Illinois.
Eric Holcomb
signed an executive order last Friday mandating the wearing of masks in the
Hoosier State. He did so with an executive order just like J. B. Pritzker did,
doing an end run around the Indiana legislature. Has anyone in state government
ever heard of co-equal branches of government?
It’s scary
that in each state….Indiana and Illinois….one government official could wield
so much power.
Holcomb did
back down from his original plan to empower cops to arrest Indiana residents
and charge them with a Class B misdemeanor if they appeared in public without a
mask. He got a lot of blowback from his own party on that provision. Sheriffs
in Indiana said they wouldn’t enforce the Governor’s executive order to arrest
mask-less citizens.
Look, I have
several masks. I do not enjoy wearing them but I do so when I know that I can’t
maintain six feet of separation in public places. I do it as much to protect
myself as I do it to show respect for others. I don’t do it because of the law
because there isn’t one here or in Indiana. In fact, the Illinois Governor’s
executive order is moot because of the ruling of a Clay County judge.
Both states
have a constitution. Use it. State Representatives and Senators need to weigh
in on matters like this. It gives us a voice.
Not just the
voice of the sitting Governor.
Beg to differ. We have learned from our Illinois neighbor. Don’t care why you do it, just do it. Masks worn by two people 6 feet apart, even when outside provide the greatest probability of safety. We do all kinds of things to be safe. Stop at stop signs, wear seat belts, change the oil in our cars, wash our hands before handling food, turn our cars off before pumping gasoline, etc. Having a law or guidelines or mandates don’t ruffle the mature, reasonable person. It does seem to rankle the insecure, prideful, selfish, ego driven, entitled people. Wearing a mask seems to be a small, non-intrusive, inexpensive way to increase your own personal safety, that of your loved ones, and your community. A tragedy shouldn’t have to hit close to home for people to take constructive action for the public good.
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