Thank you, partisan loyalists in Wisconsin. A public service announcement.

This morning I awoke to news that partisan loyalists won their lawsuit against our governor in Wisconsin.

Within minutes of the announcement our email and text exploded with the news: local restaurants, salons —even gyms —are reopening! In the midst of a highly contagious and deadly #covid19 #pandemic, partisan loyalists manipulated our legal system to put workers back to work. And in harm’s way.

Did these leaders bury the hatchet in the face of a common enemy? Did they roll up their sleeves and get to work, all hands on deck, pull together, take every measure to end the pandemic quickly, save as many lives as possible, keep the front line at bay, halt the spread of a mortal enemy—this contagious and deadly disease? Were they adults dispensing medicine? Mothers and fathers united to protect their kids and conquer a deadly virus, like other states’ leaders have done?

Nope. Not in the least. They chose a different playbook. To retreat into a corner. Hunker down into a stubborn partisan stance. Whine. Moan. Point fingers. Plot and spend precious taxpayer resources to sue the governor and shorten the shutdown—by two weeks. Reopen May 13, instead of May 26.

Two bloody precious weeks.

Yes, precious. Because the virus has a 14-day lifecycle. In two weeks, fourteen days, we could, all working together, stop the enemy. Flatten the curve.

We were on our way. It was starting to happen here in Wisconsin. The numbers were starting to fall.

But then, what would you expect from disrespectful, spoiled-rotten juvenile boys, with big toys, bullies who don't listen but demonize teachers and voters? Certainly they could not exercise patience, let alone fiscal discipline, to simply wait out two weeks.

Instead they flaunted their weapon—courts they had weaponized with partisan cronies. Then they turned the weapon on their own statesmen, aimed, and fired. Now they are grinning and proudly high-fiving themselves. Without regard to safety measures like wearing masks or requiring social distancing in workplaces that reopen.

In fact, they openly flaunt safety measures. They walk around arrogantly, unmasked, ungloved, laughing, talking, even shaking hands. Like they are invincible.

Reminds me of President Bush on the aircraft carrier announcing victory at the start of a long war.

Mission accomplished. Yeah, right. In my opinion, this is clear evidence that these folks are not from around here. They're from La-La Land. It must be a real place.

Today, across Wisconsin, some businesses are reopening. With gusto. Others more carefully. Partisan loyalists continue to be told: Do not trust journalists. Do not trust the CDC. Do not trust anyone the president has fired. Do not trust the World Health Organization, doctors, and virologists working 16-hour days 7 days a week on the front lines, communicating with each other, learning how to parry and defeat this enemy. Do not trust anyone other than partisan loyalists and the party line. That is, with one exception. Do trust Fox News. And do trust the billionaires and big pharma profiteers who have bent the president's ear and are setting policy to reopen business and then experiment on the masses of sick people that will result by “repurposing” their drugs while not cooperating with any other scientists.

Meanwhile, here in 75% GOP stronghold Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, I have many dearly beloved neighbors and friends who are at-risk unprotected partisan loyalists. We all want to support our local business establishments. These are good people and good friends. Many of will reopen with TV screens airing Fox broadcasts live from La-La Land, applauding conspiracy theorists, perpetuating us-versus-them mentality, everyone-but-us-are-enemies, hoaxes and myths. 

Prior to the lawsuit, only 30-39% of Wisconsinites have been walking around masked. We will see what happens.

My public service announcement

It is so easy to be complacent. Please Watch this video to see how easy it is to spread disease unwittingly.

Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Wear gloves. Be cognizant of everything you touch. Continue to stay home as much as possible. Work from home if you can. Be a citizen leader. Stop. Think. Protect yourself, your family, your friends, your neighbors.

We are all in this together.