Gov. Reeves, Denial Ain't a River in Mississippi

If there's one lesson this wretched year has taught us, it's that denial isn't an effective governing strategy. For instance, denying that you lost an election—by tens of thousands of votes in swing states and 6 million votes nationally and then crafting bald lies about voter-fraud claims—hasn't worked.

Deniers have flung denial far and wide this election, and the most likely outcome is a further weakening of democracy in America with thanks, as always, to Donald Trump.

Reeves In Denial: COVID-19 Requires a More Structured Response

Denial is also ineffective against COVID-19. Gov. Tate Reeves has done precisely the wrong things to quell this virus. He could have led his party and supporters in Mississippi instead of sheepishly kowtowing to the extremists. He could have listened to science. He could have told people in no uncertain terms to make some sacrifices, stay out of big groups, and wear a damn mask.

But Reeves didn't do any of those things because he refuses to lead. We're now at nearly record numbers of COVID-19 cases here, with hospitals at capacity. Flu season and the holidays are underway. A lack of discipline, courage and leadership squandered any "virus dividend" we may have had after our summer virus peak.

This week, Dr. LouAnn Woodward of UMMC called for Reeves to reinstate the mask mandate to combat the crisis our health-care workers are once again facing in the state. I hope to hear he has done it before Thanksgiving. Lead, Tate. And stop licking Trump's boots.

Read more: https://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2020/nov/25/publishers-note-gov-reeves-denial-aint-river-missi/