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During World War II the U.S. government promoted the campaign “Loose Lips Sink Ships,” engaging the public to protect the country – ourselves- challenging us to review our thoughts before speaking: without self-reflection people might let slip information the Germans and Japenese could use to their advantage in the war. Citizens were united in fighting an enemy that could kill their families, friends, co-workers and neighbors and defeat the nation. Lives were at stake and shortening the war was everyone’s goal.

Today the uncovered lips of our fellow citizens pose the same threat to the health and security of every person in the United States.

The coronavirus pandemic – pandemic means worldwide epidemic and epidemic means out of control community disease spread – has every country worldwide battling to save their citizens.

Public health is exactly that: its definition is, simply, the health of the entire community.

When political leaders and idealogues thump their chests, beat on podiums, wave banners to “unmask the children” and organize rallies against school leaders, they are dragging red herrings and waving bloody shirts.

They are not addressing the public health tragedy that has killed their constituents in every county in the country and filled to overflowing the beds of hospitals in every state.

The unmaskers have as much right to their position as those who found witches in 17th century Salem. They have as much evidence as the witch hunters did in that cause and today are bringing immeasurably more damage.

Freedom of belief is one issue. It belongs in this public health crisis like a bathing suit at a high school prom. People need to prepare and dress appropriately for every occasion.

No one has to wait history’s judgment for the Republican response to the coronavirus pandemic. Whether they win control of Congress in 2022 or win the presidency in 2024, our children will not crown them with success. This will not be looked back on as their shining moment in the sun.

Cartoonist Gary Trudeau started drawing then President Donald Trump with blood on his hands last September in every panel in which he placed him. The Republicans may win and rule every election till kingdom come. In the long term no one will judge their campaign of promoting lose lips in public a success. Whatever their short term gains, they have betrayed the people they want to rule.