Facts Are Facts, and Other Fallacies
I am a strong, competent woman. These days, however, I am also afraid.
My husband Lorenzo is an elected member of Arizona’s House of Representatives. In a few days, he will be sworn in for his second term of service. He takes his oath under a cloud of COVID-19 and civil unrest, the likes of which are unprecedented in recent history.
The Capitol is an old building, too small for social distancing and with a poor ventilation system. To complicate matters, there are legislators who believe COVID-19 is a hoax. They refuse to wear a mask. And they do not believe there should be social distancing or other protocols to keep people safe.
Lorenzo and I both tested positive for COVID-19 last fall. He spent 11 days in ICU at Johns Hopkins Hospital, four of them on a ventilator. It left him with fatigue and neuropathy in his legs, resulting in his need to use a cane on his bad days.
His doctors have stated unequivocally that people can and do catch COVID-19 more than once. In their experience, those who do usually have it worse the second time. For Lorenzo, this means it would likely be fatal. Despite this, more than a few members still refuse to abide by CDC recommendations, let alone extend common courtesy by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing at the Capitol.
Lorenzo takes seriously his service to those who elected him. He is proud to represent them and believes he can best do this in person, despite the risks to him personally. So far, no amount of me pleading for him to request to participate virtually – at least until he can be vaccinated – can convince him otherwise.
It’s just one of the things that keeps me up at night.
In the past few years, Lorenzo has received threats – most subtle, some less so. A handful have been serious enough that law enforcement has suggested we take additional security measures at our home. More than we would otherwise.
But in the past few months, the threats have increased exponentially. Emails have flooded his inbox accusing him of stealing the election from Donald Trump. He has been told that the blood of Americans in a new civil war will be on his hands. And, on more than one occasion, he and other legislators have been concerned enough to share the emails with security officials.
Yesterday, as we watched our nation’s Capitol building overtaken by domestic terrorists, their local counterparts surrounded Arizona’s Capitol. Thanks to Arizona’s open carry laws, hundreds of these individuals roamed the grounds carrying rifles and sidearms. And, in case the firearms weren’t enough, they set up a guillotine in front of the building.
They are angry that Trump lost his re-election. And they are convinced that lawmakers like my husband engaged in a widespread conspiracy to steal the election from him. Despite each state, many like mine with a Republican governor in place, conducting election audits prior to certifying the results. Despite 60+ lawsuits alleging fraud being dismissed in states throughout the country. Despite our nation’s Supreme Court, with three Trump-appointed judges on the bench, also refusing to hear a fraud case due to a lack of credible evidence.
It used to be that facts were facts, be it medical science or evidence decided by a court of law. Discussions, sometimes heated ones, were based upon these commonly understood and accepted truths.
But something has changed in our society. Facts are now arbitrary, based on what you believe, not on scientific evidence or a judge’s ruling founded on the preponderance of evidence presented. Hence, elected members of a legislature can believe a pandemic is a hoax; that “it’s no worse than a cold” and will “magically disappear.” And a mob armed with rifles and a guillotine can set up in front of my husband’s place of work and send him threats based upon their “facts” that he was part of a massive conspiracy to steal the election from their candidate.
I’m concerned about the maskless people my husband will be working in close proximity with. And I’m appalled at the armed masses who harass my husband and other lawmakers.
What makes me afraid, however, is the place we find ourselves when facts are no longer based on truth; but, rather, personal beliefs.
How do we come together to discuss and solve challenges if your facts are different than mine? How do we listen to our neighbors and have a meaningful conversation if it is not based on truth, regardless of individual opinion?
How do we get back to a place where facts are facts? And are there enough people who want to, or do we have more allegiance to our own individual opinions than the truth?
Until there are answers, Lorenzo and I will continue being vigilant about our health and safety. And I will be increasing my nightly dose of melatonin. That’s a fact you can count on.