Sees hypocrisy in behavior of state leaders

Governor Reeves asks us to pray for his daughter and her momma after his daughter is diagnosed with COVID-19. We should pray. Pray indeed for this innocent child who may have contracted a deadly virus through her parents’ irresponsible behavior.

The day her daughter was diagnosed, her momma was speaking to a group of women in Columbus at a crowded banquet hall, only three participants and the staff wearing masks. In the middle of a pandemic when infection cases are rising every week, hospitalization rates are increasing and deaths are multiplying, our First Lady, mother and wife, potentially infected with COVID-19, is traveling across the state, exposing untold numbers of Mississippi citizens to coronavirus. While her husband cancels a COVID-19 press conference where he along with Dr. Dobbs would no doubt have pleaded with Mississippians to mask, distance and stay home if exposed to the virus, she cavorts with women Republicans to do lunch and take interviews with the media to tell us all how lucky we are to have had this time to spend with our families. This event, by the way, was held on state property, in a county with a mandatory mask mandate, while also in attendance were two Circuit Court judges, one Chancery judge and our County Sheriff. It appears the hypocrisy and non-compliance is not unique to state office representatives.

My children, 9 and 11, spend 8 hours a day in school because I work to support them in an essential job at the Columbus Air Force Base. They wear masks the entire school day to protect themselves and their school mates, their teachers, and those people’s loved ones from infection. We do not go to birthday parties, movies, theme parks, sleep overs, soccer games or any of the everyday events that make childhood fun. We sacrifice to protect ourselves and our community from the pandemic that has already infected so many, including some in our own family. We sacrifice because we know doing so will save the lives of others. We sacrifice to save medical resources for those who will need them in times of dire need. We sacrifice because it is the right thing to do. My children understand this, but it seems our governor and his wife do not.

They have chosen lunches over lives. They have put individual wants over community requirements. They have chosen to lead by poor example. They get on TV and social media and tell us how important these rules are but do not follow them. They expect sacrifice on our parts but do not sacrifice in their own lives. They ask for our prayers when their bad choices result in illness befalling their family. And we pray. We pray for the child who is sick possibly because of her parents’ selfish decisions. We pray for the poor leadership our State has in these critical times. We pray for all those affected by this pandemic who were not afforded the best care I’m sure the Governor’s family is receiving at this time. We pray for everyone making sacrifices so their communities are safer places. We pray for those who will continue to put themselves above others and choose not wear masks, and attend large gatherings and spread this virus far and wide, in hopes they will see the error of their ways and learn to love their neighbors as we are all asked. Pray indeed, Mr. Governor and First Lady. We will pray. What will you do?

Sarah McAnally

Columbus

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

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