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Category: Undeniably Right Undeniably Right
Published: 01 May 2020 01 May 2020

I'm beginning to wonder if we should change the title by which we address Michelle Lujan Grisham. maybe it should be 'Dear Leader'. Her actions, especially regarding the process by which she is ruling us, tell many that she doesn't really care about input from various and diversified sources nor does she care about the impact her decisions are having upon the citizens of New Mexico. Yesterday's announcement about easing some of the restrictions was nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to try and appease the natives.

Easing restrictions on non-essential retailers allowing them to operate via curbside pickup or delivery service doesn't do a whole lot to really help someone who sells clothing, or shoes or furniture. Many small businesses do not have the Internet presence that allows people to shop online, place their order, then show up to have it put in their car. While it might seem like a good thing to allow them to sell something and make some money, what is the cost of reopening and will they be able to sell enough to cover that cost and make a dent in the fixed expenses?

It's great that veterinarians can now operate freely but what about dentists, medical clinics and hospitals? Why can't they begin servicing patients that need elective procedures? Many rural hospitals like ours are virtually empty and teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. But more importantly we have people who are not getting the treatment they need which could allow injuries or medical conditions to worsen.

State parks can reopen on a day use basis only if staff is available, but camping sites are to remain closed. Close off every other spot in a campground if they are within 10 feet of each other and you can have the social distancing plus the ability to get outside where the medical evidence proves the virus is much less likely to be transmitted between people and has a half-life of less than two minutes.

Golf courses can open but they cannot have dine-in service or retail operations. Why? Other retail operations that were considered non-essential can sell their products. People who want to go play golf are going to need golf balls. it's really easy when you call to make your tee time to tell the person to add a dozen golf balls to your bill and they'll have them sitting in your golf cart when you show up to play.

I think you get the idea of where I am going with this column. There is no logic or common sense in yesterday's announcement. Our esteemed leader got the message that the natives are restless. She made a few quick, poorly thought through decisions that she believed would make us happy and calm us down.

Not only do we need to keep up the pressure, for example, by attending tonight's rally that will hopefully build up on last Friday's success. A peaceful but well attended demonstration to let the governor know we are not happy with her handling of this situation can send a message that we are not a bunch of serfs they have forgotten what our rights are. She, along with a lot of other people apparently, need to be reminded that it is the government's duty to protect our rights not to protect us.