Who would have thought that a pandemic could become so political?
But since it first emerged from China and since it was first thought to be likely to spread to the United States and since the first briefings by local, state and national health officials, the pandemic has at times mutated into more of a political battle than a public health battle.
The President pushes back against the Governors and the Governors push back against the President.The Democrats push back against Republicans who push back at the Democrats.
The nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci has become a political punching bag. Admired by some and ripped by others.
A recall effort against Governor Newsom emerged just days after his stay at home order.And there have been marches and rallies by those who say the order was an act of tyranny and those say it was an act of sanity.
And all you have to do is listen to some of the comments made to San Diego County Supervisors this week to hear the accusations being made by some members of the public against the County’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Wilma Wooten, with some questioning her credibility and her motivation.
Dr. Wooten and other top health professionals like her in San Diego and around the country are in the fight of their lives, not only against the pandemic, but against the politics that has infected it.
(Photo credit San Diego County Newscenter, Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten)