Dear Editor:

With a death toll of over 150,000 so far in the U.S., COVID-19 is undeniably a serious threat that warrants serious measures to combat it. These measures are also undeniably wreaking havoc on the economy and people’s ability to provide for their families. Unfortunately the current political climate has caused the COVID-19 problem to be framed as a choice between stopping the spread of the disease at all costs and damning the consequences, or ignoring the reality of the disease and damning all measures to combat it. This is not, however, a zero-sum game wherein one side must lose for the other to win. Rather, we should view this as a rare opportunity in our divided nation to come together and figure out creative solutions that address all sides of the COVID problem. As a nation our greatest attributes have always been resourcefulness, creativity, and optimism. If we tap into these qualities we can surely come up with solutions that curb the spread of the disease as well as minimize the economic and social side effects. We first need to acknowledge that our sole enemy is the disease, not each other. This should not be hard to do. If we take this golden opportunity to work together we will not only resolve the COVID problem but learn to work together to solve other problems as well.

Ricardo Berry

Socorro, New Mexico

El Defensor Chieftain Editor