By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that because of the spread of the Wuhan (Corona-19) Virus, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has recently put roadblocks coming into the State? Were you also aware that some Florida Counties such as Alachua have ordered all county residents to “shelter in place”?
Some cities and counties outside of Florida have also ordered all gun stores closed despite no connection between gun ownership and the spread of the Wuhan Virus. In the State of Minnesota, the government there is tracking people’s movement via their cell phones while here in Florida, a Tampa “pastor” was arrested just yesterday for holding a church service the previous Sunday.
In a bizarre act, Governors and or Government leaders are releasing convicted criminals including rapists and murderers from jails and prisons. California Governor just did this–he commuted the sentences of 26 felons including 10 murderers. His purported reasoning? Fear that inmates may contract the Wuhan Virus.
Our Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin once stated, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety”. Benjamin Franklin may have been correct as we see across America threats of fines levied and or incarceration for Oregonians who “congregate more than 25 people” and for those who visit Florida beaches. Some civil libertarians such as Harvard Law professor Glenn Cohen are giving warning that they are watching the actions of our Government and their courts. He stated that “In times of emergency — including public health emergency – the temptation to violate individual rights is at its greatest and the courts have often been called on to defend the rights of the vulnerable.”
President Trump (who is responsible for executive actions regarding Federal issues) recently decided against quarantining the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut while the numbers of especially New York City residents infected with the Wuhan Virus continues to explode in numbers. At least on the Federal Government level, it would appear that President Trump is leaving limitations of Constitutional Rights of Americans to State leaders.