Nowhere has the ultimate toll of COVID-19 been higher than in the United States, where more than 240,000 people have died, roughly twice the number of deaths than India, which is second on the list of COVID-19 deaths.
Now, the daily new-case reports shattering the previous highs recorded in late spring, health officials brace for the inevitable deaths to follow.
How do we account for this? One key factor is messaging or, rather, a lack of consistent messaging. From the start, there has been no consistent messaging, either on the national or state level.
Precautions and policies have been shifting sand.
That’s certainly true in Mississippi, where Gov. Tate Reeves has seemed to favor a piece-meal approach to masks mandates. Currently, 15 of the state’s 82 counties are under a mask order.
When members of Joe Biden’s new coronavirus team suggested a national shutdown might be needed to arrest the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases, Reeves was defiant in stating Mississippi would not comply with such an order.
What’s good for the goose is proving good for the gander, too. DeSoto County sheriff Bill Rasco said this week he will not enforce Reeves’ mask mandate in his county.
The comments by Reeves and Rasco undermine any hope of consistent messaging, something that is needed for a unified effort in fighting the pandemic.,
Here in the Golden Triangle, local governments have been far more consistent, though not perfect, in sending a clear consistent message backed by policy.
Yet the struggle continues, as evidenced this week in West Point.
On Tuesday, the city’s Board of Selectmen voted to rescind a permit issued to a carnival a day before, citing the health risks associated with the carnival, which has been coming to West Point for years.
Carnival operators pointed out their own safety policies and noted the carnival operates outdoors and is not subject to the city’s crowd-limit restrictions that apply only to indoor venues. Some selectmen noted city parks have been closed to the public for eight months as a precaution, and they ultimately voted to rescind the carnival permit.
While we appreciate the selectmen’s efforts to apply restrictions consistently, we are not unsympathetic to the carnival operators, who followed all the requirements of the permit process and acted in good faith.
The unfortunate situation in West Point illustrates the need for local governments to carefully craft, review and adjust policies in the interests of consistency and provide a clear message to citizens about what is and is not subject to the rules.
Local government has become the last line of defense against the virus.
Until the messaging on COVID-19 policy on the national and state level becomes consistent, local governments are left with an inordinate responsibility for providing for the safety of citizens.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.