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Opinion: I have no problem with anyone expressing anger and frustration over COVID-19 restrictions imposed by Gov. Doug Ducey. But not in a way that is rude, self-centered and insensitive to the dead.

Protesters at the Arizona State Capitol(Photo: Michael Chow/The Republic)

The members of the Republican Party of Arizona, Legislative District 11, wanted to express their anger and frustration over Gov. Doug Duceys decision to extend his stay-at-home order, and especially with the warning he issued to those who might ignore it.

Ducey said, This is an order that is enforceable by law, a violation is a $2,500 fine and up to six months in jail. And for those that own an establishment and are publicly going to flout the order, you are playing with your liquor license. Don't do that.

The chairman of the District 11 Republicans, Bill Maynard, said in a statement that America has been reduced to a police state.

So the District 11 folks drafted a resolution to urge the Legislature to overturn Duceys order.

The resolution passed on a vote of 60-0.

I have no problem with the District 11 Republicans going public with their desire to reopen the state.

I have no problem with their concern for struggling businesses and out-of-work citizens.

I have no problem with them being angry and frustrated.

I draw the line, however, at also being insensitive, rude, self-centered and ignorant.

In a statement released with their resolution, Chairman Bill Maynard said the restrictions imposed by Ducey and other governors are due to a gross over reaction and hype of the Wuhan Virus.

Overreaction?

Hype?

There are more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. with upwards of 62,000 deaths, with no end in sight.

There are nearly 8,400cases in Arizona and approaching350 deaths.

Id guess that no one who has lost a mother or father, a brother or sister, a friend, a grandparent anyone would describe what is going on as hype.

The Third Vice Chairman of the District 11 Republicans, Anna Clark, said in a statement, We are fed up with not being able to go to work and live our lives as we see fit.

Obviously, the District 11 Republicans have no desire to make any sacrifices for fellow citizens who many suffer or die from the virus.

They have a right to publicly announce their selfishness.

Within the resolution itself the District 11 Republicans also say, COVID-19 poses little or no risk to the general population and only to a narrow spectrum.

While it is true that older people and individuals with compromised immune systems are the most vulnerable, individuals of all ages have died from COVID-19. A 6-week-old newborn in Connecticut, high school and college students, otherwise healthy young and middle-aged adults. Not to mention the health care professionals and essential workers who have been lost to COVID-19. To suggest there is "little or no risk" diminishes those deaths. Those lives.

If you are angry and frustrated, like the District 11 Republicans, and you want the state to end restrictions meant to serve the greater good, to save lives, you are perfectly free to say so.

But in doing so, please, muster up a little grace.

Convey a little empathy.

Show a little respect for the dead. And for their families.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2020/05/02/arizonas-district-11-republicans-vote-60-0-they-dopes/3072808001/

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Arizonas District 11 Republicans vote 60-0 that they are dopes - AZCentral