During the 2020 election, the majority party ran on the slogan, “Faith Family Freedom.” Those are great values. They aren’t partisan values – they are American values. People of all political stripes attend the church of their choice. Everyone, regardless of their political affiliation, wants the best for their family and loved ones. And Arlington cemetery is the final resting place for Republicans and Democrats alike who died to protect and defend our country’s freedom.

But there is one critical item missing from their list of values: COMMUNITY. This omission reveals a growing concern as the prevailing ideology within the Idaho Legislature shifts toward prioritizing individual liberties at the expense of protecting the interests of the larger community. A civilized society strikes a healthy balance between the two. Extremism in either direction serves more to divide us than unite us.

COVID has predictably mutated into more contagious and possibly more dangerous variants (Delta, Delta Plus, Lambda, etc.). Children and young adults are now at greater risk. The vaccinated are protected (so far), but can now be highly contagious to others. Hospital ICU beds are once again filling up – putting everyone with ANY critical medical condition at risk of not receiving the care they need.

I try to balance both the immediate and long-term perspective when making decisions. I value the input and advice of credible sources whose knowledge exceeds mine (such as the Idaho state epidemiologist), as well as those with decades of experience in containing epidemics and pandemics of highly infectious and deadly diseases (e.g. SARS and Ebola).

The definition of a patriot is: “a person who vigorously supports their country.” I don’t enjoy wearing a mask – but I have begun doing so again, even though I am fully vaccinated. It’s just one small patriotic action I can take to protect and support others in my community, my country.