We all know that when you toss a life ring 5 feet short of a drowning person, they die. You reduce that risk by tossing it past the target and drawing it in to them. The same is true for public policy during a pandemic. Because the COVID-19 virus moves faster than government or our best science, you have to overshoot the target, get ahead of it, and draw it back in as data and science inform us to do so. No President or Governor is going to toss the ring perfectly every time. Yet success requires us to set aside politics and give our leaders the space and support they need to give it their best shot. So when the chain of command breaks down and law enforcement violate its oath of office and openly challenges the law, the system breaks down. There’s no doubt that a blank and vague statement that “we will not have strict enforcement of these policies” both sows further confusion and encourages violations among the public they serve. Prudence, professionalism and integrity would mandate a letter of resignation over a press release and political stunt. We all need to call on Sheriffs Borkovich, Schendel, Faulk and Cole of Leelanau, Benzie, Manistee and Mason Counties to uphold the law with all the discretion we entrust to them, and as affirmed by the Attorney General, and cease engaging in self-serving political stunts. Unity over politics will get us through this as a state and a nation.
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