By KRIS PASTORIZA, Easton
In the beginning of the COVID pandemic, Gov. Chris Sununu acted rationally, closing down travel and non-essential businesses. He, unlike some other far-right-Republicans, was aware that failing to do so would cause increased deaths in New Hampshire.
His recent refusal to shut down non-essential businesses, especially restaurants and bars, makes it clear that his initial restrictions were enacted not out of compassion, but because he understood that flattening the curve would increase his chance of re-election. Now that he has won the race, and COVID cases are increasing at an unacceptable rate, Gov. Sununu has failed to enact the restrictions that would protect New Hampshire workers and residents.
Gov. Sununu’s contempt for humanity is also evident in his stance on minimum wage, the death penalty, adult dental coverage for Medicaid, paid family and medical leave, protection from financial abuse for the disabled and elderly, and his failure to enact a mask-mandate.
New Hampshire is the only state in New England without a mask mandate. The data from other states shows that voluntary compliance is ineffective. Those people who are willing to infect you with COVID because they can’t be bothered to wear a mask are Gov. Sununu’s constituency, and he shares their views despite understanding, as they perhaps do not, that masks decrease the spread of the virus.
To protect his veneer, Gov. Sununu has distanced himself from Trump, but his policies make it clear he shares the far-right’s contempt for the working class, the unemployed, the marginalized, the disabled and the poor.
Kris Pastoriza
Easton, NH 11/15/20
The opinions expressed here are those of the writer. InDepthNH.org takes no position on political matters, but welcomes diverse opinions at nancywestnews@gmail.com