While at the Skagit County Fair last week, I did a double take when I walked by a booth staffed by Skagit County Republicans. Two over-sized signs dominated their red, white and blue themed booth; you couldn’t miss them if you tried.

The first read: “Rural Americans Against Communism.” What? Just rural Americans? What about suburban Americans? Urban Americans? All Americans? It’s inarguable that Americans of every political stripe, race, gender, ethnicity and religious affiliation stand against communism; this is not a partisan issue in a democratic republic. So why this message?

My takeaway is that this statement was not so much about anti-communism as a not-so-thinly veiled insinuation implying that anyone who is not affiliated with the Republican Party is suspect.

The second read: “Unmask the Children.” Again, what? Whom does a measure to unmask children at this juncture in the pandemic really serve? Certainly not students under 12 (including my six grandchildren) who have not yet been afforded the vaccine. Certainly not teachers (including four of my children) and other education personnel.

There is no doubt the delta variant is raging and we should do everything in our collective power to protect ourselves and others by masking up – and getting vaccinated – to beat this pandemic. To advocate otherwise is irresponsible and dangerous.

It’s discouraging to see local Republicans sowing distrust between neighbors and endorsing an agenda that endangers so many (not to mention spoiling an otherwise fun day at the fair).

Ashley Sweeney

Shelter Bay