When it comes to masks and vaccination, I could say that Gov. Kate Brown is a parent of a naughty child who explains the risks of dangerous behavior and sets up reasonable limits and penalties, while Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida just let their kids do whatever they want. Governors aren’t parents and adult citizens aren’t children. A leader can do little in a democratic nation so passionately divided. Our country is founded on the principle that people can govern themselves and use their rights and liberties responsibly, but what happens when they don’t?
The Black Plague wiped out as much as a third of the population of Europe because people didn’t know how to stop it. COVID-19 could be worse because it is a constantly mutating virus that will develop new and more lethal variants if it is allowed to spread. We know how to manage or even stop it by wearing masks and getting vaccinated, but half the country refuses to do so.
There are legitimate reasons not to vaccinate and mask, and no one likes being told what to do, but we must act like intelligent, responsible adults. We must show our patriotism by wearing masks and getting vaccinated. If we don’t, we might lose our precious rights and liberties because, to borrow from the Gettysburg Address, this great nation divided against itself cannot stand and just might perish from the face of the earth along with the rights and liberties which define it.
Donald M. Brasted-Maki
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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