EDITOR:

Vehicles roared into Lansing this past week to protest Governor Whitmer’s recent directive to extend the restrictions to stem the flow of the COVID-19 virus in Michigan. It sounds like they had a good old time. Tooting their horns amid chants of “lock her up,” a swastika adorning a Trump/Pence flag, Confederate flags, “Don’t Tread on Me” flags. Lots of signs like Descendant of Men That Would Not Be Ruled, Hands off our Citizens, Build the Wall. A woman giving the Nazi salute. And Trump signs. Kids, a man selling mini American flags, a guy handing out candy to kids, an inflatable Statue of Liberty. Cars, trucks, including a retired fire truck. Lots of guys brandishing automatic rifles. Other guys packing pistols.

Why even Representative Lee Chatfield waved an American flag from a window of the Capital Building. He chose not to join the crowd, though. I wonder why. These are comrades in arms after all. One of the signs “Live or Die” was just perfect for all the naysayers because this virus is a killer. Go ahead and shove your face in it. Go ahead and shove your kids’ faces in it. Go ahead and shove your parents faces in it. Go ahead and shove your grandparents faces in it. Go ahead and shove your buddy’s face in it. Go ahead and shove your fellow workers faces in it. The Grim Reaper is pleased to oblige with open arms and no stay home orders. This is the new “normal” for the time being. There are no blueprints to follow. No policy and procedures manuals in place. No outlines to follow. No charts to follow. No vaccines available to fight this virus yet. So get out of your attack modes. Other than making you feel better, it accomplishes nothing. Plus, it sets a poor example for your kids. There are armies of people working 24/7 to stop COVID-19 and keep us all as safe as possible. So, lead, follow or get the hell out of the way. It’s disrespectful to those doctors and nurses who have died, as well as those whose bodies are stacked like cordwood in refrigeration trucks in Detroit.

Gerry Niedermaier

Gladstone