We are not in this together

The COVID-19 epidemic in the U.S. has dramatically revealed the inequality that this nation was built on.

The chief executive is not with us. He refused to wear a mask while touring a Ford factory: he does not consider himself bound by the same norms and laws the rest of us respect. He gets antibody tests daily, unlike us. He still sees this epidemic as a product of his 'enemies” instead of as a health crisis a real leader would rise to meet.

Connecting access to health care with employment is a disaster. Until this country joins the rest of the advanced economies in the world by offering universal access to health care, we will continue a shameful, inhumane system which causes diabetics to ration their insulin, poor sick people to put off doctor's visits, and which, in the end, kills poor people.

Armed white supremacists can invade statehouses, and guard businesses whose owners defy shutdown orders, and not face arrest. Could armed people of color act with the same impunity? The president was elected because he vilified immigrants. He now expects those same immigrants to risk their lives working in meat packing plants while his OSHA looks the other way if those plants don't enforce safety measures against spreading the virus, all to boost the economy he sees as his ticket to a reelection he doesn't deserve.

Until we organize and force fundamental changes in this country, we will never be in it together.

Jeff Klinzman

Coralville