Harris-Walz: The Emblem of COVID-19 Autocracy

The words quarantine, lockdowns, and social distancing are likely to be etched in the minds of many, even years after the COVID-19 pandemic. The memories of the hardships endured during this period are still vivid, and it's understandable if people wish to erase this chapter from their lives. However, it's important to remember that some of those who implemented stringent measures in the name of COVID-19 safety, such as Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, are seeking your votes this November.

Kamala Harris: A Familiar Name

Kamala Harris is a name that rings a bell for most Americans. She was chosen by Biden as his vice president for the 2020 Democratic ticket and has been serving as his deputy for the past three-and-a-half years. Depending on the results of the upcoming presidential elections, she might be in line for a promotion. During her tenure as VP, she has been a part of the Biden administration's increasingly autocratic decrees in the name of curbing COVID-19. In 2021, the administration attempted to use OSHA to enforce weekly testing or vaccination for companies with over 100 employees. This mandate, despite its dubious legal basis and questionable efficacy against the Omicron variant of COVID-19, was supported by the administration until it was struck down by the Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision in 2022. The Biden administration also sought to suppress any skepticism towards their COVID-19 policies by pressuring private companies. This was revealed in the "Twitter Files," where it was shown that the administration requested Twitter to ban or limit the reach of certain accounts, including high-profile individuals like Robert Kennedy Jr. It was only after Elon Musk acquired Twitter that these government "requests" were made public. Harris has been actively involved in vaccination drives, encouraging mask-wearing, and advocating for social distancing. In a 2021 vaccine drive in South Carolina, she reiterated the safety and efficacy of vaccines and the concept of herd immunity. However, despite her assurances, the Delta and Omicron variants caused a surge in COVID-19 cases, even among the vaccinated population. Harris also supported the vaccination of children aged 5-11, despite the low risk of serious complications from COVID-19 in this age group. The World Health Organization later reversed their stance on child vaccination due to the negligible benefits.

Tim Walz: A Less Familiar Name

In contrast to Harris, Tim Walz might not be a familiar name to many. Elected as the governor of Minnesota in 2018 and reelected in 2022, Walz is currently running alongside Harris for vice president. During the pandemic, he supported masking, lockdowns, and social distancing policies, much like most governors across the country. However, Walz's administration was willing to implement more stringent measures. Walz established a "COVID-19 hotline" where people could report non-compliance with the governor's orders. This sparked controversy within the state, but Walz defended the hotline, claiming it was a tool to keep families safe. He also enforced his lockdown orders, seeking a restraining order to keep a Lakeville restaurant closed when it tried to reopen for dine-in service. In June 2020, Walz issued a mask mandate, requiring anyone in an indoor space with non-family members to wear a mask. He claimed that wearing a mask was a demonstration of Minnesotan values.

Effectiveness of Measures

It is now clear that most of the measures supported by Harris and Walz were ineffective at stopping COVID-19. Vaccines required boosters to maintain efficacy and had mixed results against subsequent COVID-19 strains. The cloth masks that everyone wore for years didn't work. The six-feet social distancing rule was entirely arbitrary. Lockdowns had only a minimal impact on a state's COVID-19 performance. Despite the ineffectiveness of these measures, no apologies have been given, and no retractions have been issued. As with every failure of state policy, the public is expected to forget and move on. However, it's important to remember that if given the chance, similar measures could be implemented again. The Harris/Walz ticket represents many things, but primarily, it symbolizes the autocratic COVID-19 regime.

Bottom Line

Looking back at the tumultuous years of 2020-2022, it's hard to believe that such measures were implemented. The Harris/Walz ticket serves as a reminder of the autocratic measures taken in the name of COVID-19 safety. It's essential to remember these actions as we move forward. What are your thoughts on this? Share this article with your friends and let's get the conversation started. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6 pm.