Mask Power Play
The new level of power grab and hypocrisy in Washington is the U.S. House maintaining its rule requiring members to wear masks. Never mind that the chief proponent of this, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was quick to ditch her mask last week at a crowded White House reception when the leader of South Korea came to town. Never mind that members of the House were among the very first to get the vaccine, well before the rest of us.
And my guess is that the more people say the mandate should be dropped, the deeper she’ll dig her heels in on the topic.
Last week, a group of Republicans protested the silly rule by not wearing masks in the chamber when voting. One of these was Iowa’s second district congresswoman, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Doctor, by the way, as in “medical doctor”…someone who was actually following the science as opposed to claiming to be.
The Speaker fined her $500 for violating the rules. Perhaps the Speaker would have preferred that Congresswoman Miller-Meeks wear the mask with the large number 6 on it, as she did at the presidential address to Congress…guessing she wouldn’t have liked that any better, to be reminded of the margin of victory for Republicans in the district.
Either you believe in the vaccine or you don’t. If you’re vaccinated, why should you need a mask? You’re protected. Public officials preaching about getting the shot–which is a personal medical decision, by the way–while then donning masks color-coordinated with their outfits are sending inconsistent signals.
Well, one signal is consistent…it’s about their need to have power, even if it’s only through requiring a flimsy piece of cloth covering the disdain shown on our faces.
