One understands the tendency of elected and appointed officials to err on the side of caution when it comes to public policy and pandemics. One also understands the concept of social distancing, quarantines, flattening the curve, and minimizing the risks associated with COVID-19.
But one can’t hunker down forever.
Governors, in particular, will soon be facing difficult choices. At what point do we start to loosen restrictions on activities and movement? Leaders get all kinds of advice. There are no clear answers.
On the one hand, restaurant owners and the like plead for restriction relief sooner rather than later. Quite understandable.
On the other hand, those motivated by political impulses see opportunities in the current crisis. The worse the economy the worse it is for our president’s prospects. Even before COVID-19, the likes of Bill Mahar were openly hoping for bad economic news as 2019’s unprecedented prosperity was not only good for America but good for the president. They worry less about economic devastation and more about replacing the president. Also understandable, if not laudable.
But leaders would be best served by listening to medical experts as opposed to desperate business people or partisan polls.
Which brings one to certain outdoor activities. To paraphrase Shakespeare’s Hamlet:
“To golf or not to golf?”
While it may be too early to open the 19th Hole, why not the first 18? Some medical experts see minimal risk, especially if a golfing foursome walks or utilizes four carts instead of two, and don’t shake hands at the end. (Of course, many doctors are inveterate golfers!)
Can one say “Personal Responsibility?”
But our golf courses remain closed.
Our governor indicated a reluctance to sanction golfing as long as neighboring states kept their golf courses closed, lest linksters from Maine, Massachusetts or Vermont crowd our courses—which they probably would.
One gets it.
But how does one reconcile keeping our liquor stores open with keeping our golf courses closed? Countless thousands of out-of-staters continue to inundate our liquor and wine outlets, where patrons are inevitably in close contact in closed spaces, as opposed to the wide-open fairways?
Why is it okay for the state to accept out-of-state money under such conditions while shuttering golf courses and other types of outdoor activities which would similarly and happily accept in-state or out-of-state money?
Reopening golf courses and the like would seem to be a logical first step in the long journey back to normalcy as we “turn the corner” on the COVID crisis.
Of course one should ultimately defer to the counsel of medical experts as opposed to the call of the first tee.
But to paraphrase Moses, who showed a deft touch when it came to dealing with plagues—as well as getting out of sand traps:
“Let my people golf!”
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By Mike Moffett (a retired professor, Marine Corps officer, former state representative and a very poor but enthusiastic golfer.)
