I feel like I’ve drawn this comic before, but then again I feel like I’ve heard Gov. Kevin Sitt’s Tuesday press conference before as well. Phrases like “personal responsibility” and “do the right thing” seem familiar because he’s said them repeatedly during the pandemic. With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continuing to skyrocket in the state, it seems as though many Oklahomans are, repeatedly, not listening. And why would they listen? When your message is “you should be doing these things, but you don’t really have to,” it turns out that many people will choose, in fact, to not do those things.
There were some interesting remarks from Dr. Julie Watson at this press conference, including an appeal for rural Oklahomans to wear masks stating. “A mask is not political,” she said. Thinking about this a bit, I have two thoughts. First, yes of course they aren’t political. But second, this almost seems like a statement directed at the governor for his lack of action. His unwillingness to follow White House and other guidelines in issuing a statewide mask mandate is the same reason that people in rural areas won’t wear them to begin with: “freedom” or “government overreach” or some other vague political concept.
Mixed messaging like we hear from these press conferences is exactly why we continue to be in the mess we’re currently dealing with.
When you elect a person to lead in these situations, and they tell us “Well, it’s up to you to solve this,” I’m not sure what outcome we’re hoping for, but it probably isn’t going to happen.
Past Sundaze comics
Power problems lead to weird rituals after 2020 storm
Halloween 2020 more of a trick than a treat?
No ICU beds: The spooky movie of the season
Students surely making most of extra screen time
Epic fail? Audit yields more questions on public money
Rough Saturday for Sooners fans
Budget blockbusters from the Cox Convention Center?
College football fun dampened by COVID-19 risks
It wasn’t Neese: An allegory for owning your audio
You’re doing fine in the red zone, Oklahoma
Snail mail: Slugging it out at the U.S. Postal Service
Norman elections always cause a flood of headlines
School 2020: Arts and crafts more like arts and masks
Ready for basketball from the Disney bubble
Kevin Stitt quarantine: Rest up, governor
PPP helps keep the proverbial pizza cooking
Imagine masks: Stitt starts fashion fad to emphasize eyebrows
Mike Gundy has shirt problems
Coronavirus spike: There’s still a pandemic out there
Safety and cleanliness are priorities for Election Day
Remember to put yourself in someone else’s shoes
Them boys from Oklahoma roll their joints all wrong
Pour yourself an age and wisdom on the rocks
All the government Oklahoma could ever want
Open sesame: Kevin Stitt and the 40 mayors
Parents agree: The Easter bunny is an essential worker
Bad news for Cheetos: Our behaviors are changing
Quarantine quandary: Are your pets sick of you yet?
Quarantine: A rear window into our worried minds
