THE NEW NORMAL?

At a recent Covid-19 press conference Gov. John Bel Edwards proclaimed that Louisianans were just going to have to accept “living in a new normal” for an indefinite period of time. An April 16th CNN online column declared that “the new normal” would include mass temperature checks, mandatory use of face masks, and admitted Orwellian government monitoring of cellphone locations in the guise of protecting public health. The World Health Organization also continues to push this narrative with WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom stating that his organization was focused on seeing that “communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the new normal.”

While there is no doubt that the Covid-19 virus has disrupted our lives and created a great deal of angst and anxiety about the days to come, we must be vigilant in seeing that our future as a state and nation is shaped and defined by “We the People” and not by government bureaucrats, liberal pundits, or power-hungry politicians. Last week President Trump released his guidelines for Opening Up America Again, a three-phase plan based on facts and verifiable data designed to re-start the economy and restore our personal liberties in a manner that also protects public health.

In my opinion, Governor Edwards has thus far shown impressive leadership ability and has done a good job of keeping the public informed about the impacts of this devastating viral outbreak on our state. The drastic measures initially undertaken to “flatten the curve” have been successful, and we are now in a position to adopt President Trump’s recommendations and begin opening up Louisiana again before our state economy plunges to a depth from which it may never recover. The time to act is now, and I strongly encourage the governor to let his Stay at Home Executive Order expire on April 30th and allow local officials to determine the best course of action for their parish or municipality.

So what is the new normal going to look like for District 22? I hope it looks a lot like the old normal – only better. I am a firm believer in American ingenuity, perseverance, and self-reliance. I believe that the pioneer spirit that drove our forefathers across the high seas in pursuit of freedom, liberty, and equality still lives in our hearts and minds. I believe the words spoken by President Truman following the end of WW2 still ring true today – “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”

I pray that this deadly virus will be eradicated from our land, as I pray that we will be united with an iron will and unwavering resolve to move forward not with a spirit of fear, but with a spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. I am looking forward to returning to the old normal and to the simple things citizens of District 22 enjoy so much – things like a cup of coffee with the Urania Knotheads, lunch at Red River Livestock in Coushatta, fried catfish at Lakewood Inn on Black Lake, strolling down Front Street in Natchitoches, little league baseball in Pollock, and worshipping our Sovereign God in church with friends and family.