The results of California’s recall effort did not go in any Republicans’ favor. Californians overwhelmingly supported Gov. Gavin Newsom. And, as much was made about fallout regarding mask mandates, lockdowns, vaccines, and other safety protocols implemented by Newsom, absolutely none of that mattered in the end. This should be an important lesson for the GOP moving forward: Any GOP candidate fighting against mask mandates in blue states will be summarily destroyed at the ballot box.
Most Republicans are against mask mandates. Many candidates running for office have vowed to fight these mandates. Yet, what many on the Right fail to acknowledge is that the majority of the country supports mask mandates. Arguing over the efficacy of masks is fine. There is conflicting science as to whether cloth masks stop the spread of COVID-19 or any of its variants. Proponents of masks reveal studies that say masks work; opponents of masks reveal studies that masks do not work. None of this changes the fact that most people support wearing masks.
Moreover, it is important to realize that while someone may dislike wearing masks, it is an inconvenience, not a hazard. There are plenty of reasons not to enjoy wearing masks. There are multiple reasons to complain about them. However, all of these are based on the inconvenience of comfort. Normal healthy human beings (except those suffering from prosopagnosia) are not in any imminent danger by wearing a mask. I reject any claims to the contrary because millions of Muslims wear burqas regularly without reporting any serious, lingering, detrimental health issues.
As election season is underway in the United States, many Republican candidates have declared to fight mask mandates. This may serve them well in areas where Republican voters outnumber Democrat voters. However, in areas that are heavily Democratic, political opposition to mask mandates will certainly be a losing cause. Any GOP candidates or organizations that fail to realize this are residing in echo chambers.
It’s also important to consider the efficacy of making such a thing part of a political platform. Love them or hate them, masks are only a temporary thing — even though there are plenty of naysayers who believe otherwise. In reality, there will be a day in the future where no one will be required or asked to wear masks. No one seems to know when that point is. Nevertheless, with absolute certainty, mask-wearing does indeed have an expiration date. So, forming a campaign around something that will eventually end anyway, in areas where support runs counter to one’s ideology on mask-wearing is, for all intents and purposes, a waste of time and resources.
Instead, the GOP should focus on initiatives that may be controversial but are not as partisan. For example, fighting against things such as critical race theory in schools or transgender students competing on sports teams that do not match their biology are more worthwhile pursuits. First, such things will have longer consequences than masks. Second, these are topics that enjoy bipartisan support.
For example, while only about 40% of the country is opposed to wearing masks, nearly 60% of the country is against critical race theory, including slightly over 70% of independent voters, a recent poll revealed.
Additionally, a recent Gallup poll revealed that 62% of the country felt that transgender people should compete on teams based on their biology.
It does not take a strong mathematician to realize that 60% and 62% are substantially higher than 40%. If Republicans hope to be successful come November, and they live in blue or purple areas throughout the country, ditch the ill-fated push back against masks. Pursue other objectives that will have longer and a more meaningful effect on society. Whether one loves or hates masks, their time in society is temporary. And they certainly will not have the lingering influence that losing the battle over critical race theory and transgender athletes on sports teams will have.
