Brian Griffiths: Three weeks into the coronavirus pandemic, here’s what we’ve learned

We’re three weeks into our social distancing and stay-at-home regime here in Maryland. I wake up and I start hum Morrisey’s “Every Day is Like Sunday.” All the days have run together in ways none of us could imagine was possible.

Here are some things we have learned in the past three weeks:

Maryland’s alcohol laws are lame: Two weeks ago, Gov. Larry Hogan allowed the carryout and delivery of beer, alcohol, and mixed drinks from Maryland’s bars and restaurants. Comptroller Peter Franchot temporarily eliminated limits on the number of barrels breweries could sell from their taprooms. Since these laws have been effectively eliminated during this crisis, why should we have them? An excellent time to reconsider our entire ancient, Prohibition-era alcohol regime that empowers distributors as middlemen.

Nobody reads before reacting: Social media lit up on Monday when Hogan issued his stay-at-home order. It was very clear very quickly that almost nobody read the order or understood the executive order before panicking. Most didn’t realize the executive order changed very little from previous executive orders. The only difference I could find? No more recreational boating. It was obvious, in internet parlance, that “Nobody clicked the link.”

We need to mandate civics education: The number of people, inside of government and out, that clearly need a refresher on civics and the role of government is high. I’ve seen calls for nationalizing hospitals, nationalizing the economy, nationalizing factories. I’ve seen people confusing a state response for a federal response. I’ve seen people not understand how one state is doing one thing and one state does another. It is clear that public schools have failed in teaching the Constitution and how our government works. A class in state and local government should be mandated prior to graduation.

The stimulus swindle: Congress allocated $250 billion in direct payments to taxpayers through the recent adoption of the Coronavirus Stimulus Package. That constitutes 12.5% of the package’s $2 trillion price tag. Even in a pandemic, Congress uses high-profile bills like a Christmas tree, attaching pet projects like ornaments. I hope the Kennedy Center enjoys the $25 million present you paid for.

The nationalization of politics is toxic: On Monday, President Donald Trump brought manufacturers who were converting their facilities to make medical supplies to the White House. For some reason, the left turned on the CEO of MyPillow, Mike Lindell, because he praised God and thanked the president during his remarks. The fact he pledged his company would make 50,000 surgical masks a day was inconsequential to them. The nationalization of politics warps people. On both sides.

Special elections: Lost in the mishigas of the pandemic is the fact that residents of District 30A will soon have two delegates in the House of Delegates, neither of whom they voted for. Given the concerns with the last appointment process and the pandemic related issues caused by this one, this is another reminder we need to move to special elections for General Assembly vacancies.

Juxtaposition alert: During a stay-at-home order to save lives, Planned Parenthood is arguing that abortion is an essential service. They’re arguing that killing unborn babies is essential in a time where saving lives is paramount. Very telling.

Everything will change and stay the same: Lots of people are concerned that things will change forever after the end of the pandemic. Of course, they will. Things always change. And things always stay the same. Time is not still. It’s moving ever forward. This won’t be any different.

To all of our readers: stay at home, safe safe and stay healthy.

Brian Griffiths is Editor-in-Chief of RedMaryland.com. He can be reached via email at brian.griffiths.media@gmail.com, on Twitter @BrianGriffiths, or on Facebook at facebook.com/briangriffithsmd.