Cooperation Vs Coercion

Last week’s column described how Americans have largely cooperated with government-imposed shutdowns so far. Now I’m wondering how long they’ll continue doing so. I’m concerned about that for several reasons, the biggest of which is: how soon can federal relief money get into the hands of people who are living on the edge? Many if not most Americans live paycheck to paycheck and they have to eat.

While those checks comprise a big part of the trillions headed for needy Americans newly out of work, there are snags. Small businesses are promised loans enabling them to keep paying employees through the crisis so they won’t have to be laid off. The loans, if guidelines are followed, will not have to be paid back. But — and it’s a big but — what are the guidelines? Banks are leery because they remember being subsequently investigated for not vetting loan applicants closely enough during the TARP crisis in 2008/2009.

Locally, Norway Savings Bank has emailed its account holders about its participation in the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) which is funneling the $349 billion authorized as part of the $2 trillion overall COVID-19 relief package. Small businesses can apply as of April 3rd and self-employed people may apply beginning April 10th. That’s good news, and came faster than I feared it might.

Monday I spoke to a small businessman running a retail business in western Maine with about a half-dozen employees. He has so far avoided furloughing anybody but cannot hold out indefinitely, so he called Norway Savings Bank and is waiting to hear back. The bank official he spoke to, with whom it seemed he was personally acquainted, indicated he was swamped with requests. That’s no shock, but how long will it take to process applications? How soon before money is in the hands of the newly unemployed?

Several times over the past few years I’ve written of America’s widening political divide, and it’s a frequent topic on my “Left & Right” community TV show — and that was all before the Corona Crisis. For the most part, those on both sides of the divide have cooperated, but there’s growing tension in spite of our shared danger. It’s in evidence during the daily COVID-19 press conferences which are frequently interrupted by snarky questions from left-wing reporters and angry answers from President Trump.

Though I’m not a golfer, I was miffed when Maine Governor Janet Mills closed golf courses. What’s the point? Golfers can easily maintain social distancing while playing and skip socializing in the clubhouse after. How is that any different from people going out for walks in the neighborhood? What is accomplished by the ban other than pissing off golfers? Tuesday I read in the Portland Press Herald that: “The City of Portland is closing two parking lots adjacent to the popular Back Cove Trail Tuesday to cut down on the number of people using the 3.6-mile path around the cove amid the coronavirus outbreak.”

The same day I read a legal notice in the Conway Daily Sun for arriving summer people in my town of Lovell. Lovell selectmen are telling those people they must: “…immediately self-quarantine for 14 days unless when engaging in Essential Services as defined in Executive Order 19 FY 19/20.”

Okay. I don’t like the tone, but it’s consistent with what most states are requiring of out-of-state visitors and property owners. But then the notice states: “A violation of this order may be charged as a Class E misdemeanor subject to a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $1000 fine.” Thus the tone gets even more authoritarian, but it doesn’t stop there.

It continues with: “This order may be enforced by local government officials pursuant to their authority to regulate the operation or occupancy of buildings.” So, their authority to regulate how structures are built through Planning Boards and Code Enforcement Officers is now extended to enforcing when and how out-of-state property owners may leave their buildings? It goes on still fiurther:”The Selectmen will be monitoring visitors coming into the Town of Lovell and enforcing this Executive Order to protect public health and safety,” 

There’s no police force in Lovell. Will the selectmen be asking the county sheriff, the state police, or town constables to arrest violators? What about people who grocery shop in North Conway, NH? That’s out of state. Must they quarantine themselves after putting their groceries away. Instead of threatening to arrest people, how about just asking them to cooperate? That’s what has worked across the nation up to now.

Which brings me to another point. Am I the only one worried about the increasing power of government to encroach on our basic civil liberties in the name of public health? How easily will they relinquish power when the virus goes away?