By Matthew Hayward
COVID-19 initiated a wave of change, reshaping our societal norms with a magnitude comparable to an earthquake. First came the lockdowns. Unforeseen overreaches materialized swiftly, from closing vast forests and public beaches to dramatic scenes such as coastguards chasing a lone paddle border – an absurd spectacle of the new normal.
With the onset of social distancing, establishments began operating under a limited capacity, albeit inconsistently enforced. Large stores were allowed to partially open, while small businesses, the backbone of many local economies, faced complete closure. The logic behind shutting hair salons while keeping marijuana shops open eluded many.
An example that illustrates this paradox is the case of Slide Water Park in Washington State. This 40-acre outdoor park was forced to shutter, while literally across the street, the state park on Lake Chelan was teeming with visitors, defying any semblance of social distancing. The state government offered no recourse for a safe reopening of Slide Water, disallowing arguments for limited capacity or social distancing measures within the expansive outdoor park.
A wave of defiance surged among business owners in response to such unyielding regulations. Consider the U.S. Marine Corps veteran barber in Snohomish County, WA, who, incurring daily fines, refused to close his shop. King County even saw the creation of a website where citizens could report violators. However, this initiative sparked a backlash when the names of informants were leaked, leading to threats and unflattering comparisons to Nazi informers.
The tension was palpable as enforcers tasked with documenting these transgressions were photographed and harassed. A climate of defiance grew, giving birth to protests that culminated in armed gatherings by individuals viewing themselves as Patriots, pushing back against what they perceived as tyranny.
While many might dismiss talk of a modern civil war as hyperbole or extremist rhetoric, realizing how precariously close we might have been to a catastrophic tipping point is crucial. When law-abiding citizens feel compelled to bear arms, laying down a proverbial line in the sand, it's a sign that we need to initiate broader public discourse.
The sight of business owners risking hefty fines, arrests, and even armed protests underscores the direness of the situation. It's critical to recognize the proximity of this discontent to violent resistance. Once this genie is out of the bottle, there's no putting it back.
What is evident from this era is the necessity of balance. We must strike an equilibrium between the urgent need to protect public health and the survival of our economic systems and civil rights. When loaded firearms become part of the narrative, it's a stark reminder of how close we are to crossing the line from civil unrest to unpredictable violence. As we navigate our path forward, it's vital to bear in mind these lessons and strive for a society that respects the rights of individuals and businesses alike.
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