“Stop quarantine”: why protests against restrictive measures during the COVID-19 epidemic do not subside in the USA

In Michigan, there was a demonstration against the extension of restrictive sanitary measures because of the coronavirus epidemic. Its members occupied the state capitol building in disagreement with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to extend the 28-day emergency regime, despite the fact that local parliamentarians in both houses voted against.  

It is noted that a significant number of protesters were armed - a number of American media described the protest as an “armed assault”.

Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us. Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them. I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today. # milegpic.twitter.com / voOZpPYWOs

“Men with rifles are standing right above us and shouting at us. Some of my colleagues with bulletproof vests put them on. I have never appreciated our parliamentary bailiffs more than today, ”wrote Senator Democrat Dana Polehanki on her Twitter.  

The protesters openly demonstrated weapons and home-made posters with the words “Stop quarantine!”, “No work - no freedom!”, “Pull up tyrants!” 

Note that this is not the first protest against restrictive measures in Michigan. So, on April 16, thousands of state residents gathered at the local capitol, many arrived in cars. The demonstrators disagreed with the measures introduced, which they considered too harsh, and demanded permission from the authorities to return to work. 

However, that action was not spontaneous: the Conservative Coalition of Michigan, supporting the Republican Party of the USA, acted as the organizer. 

Donald Trump then also sided with the protesters, April 17 wrote on his Twitter: “Free Michigan!” 

Almost simultaneously, similar actions took place in Kentucky and Utah, as well as in Ohio and North Carolina.

In turn, the current protest was also organized by the conservative group, Michigan Unification for Freedom, and the event itself was called the “March of American Patriots”.  

Protest moves inside Michigan Capitol. Crowd attempts to get onto Hoise floor. Lots of Michigan State Police and House sergeants at arms blocking door. pic.twitter.com/4FNQpimP4W

A number of analysts attribute the growing protest to the fact that in the United States a conservative agenda often intersects with right-wing and different conspiracy theories on the world and ultimately takes similar forms.  

“These people believe that coronavirus and measures to combat it are a government conspiracy that must be fought. In addition, they are supporters of gun ownership, the Second Amendment, so their actions result in such paradoxical stories, ”political analyst Alexander Asafov explained in a conversation with RT. 

He also added that participants in such actions have the right to public meetings with weapons.  

“This is a fairly standard situation for the United States, it was repeated several times, but it did not always go as far as seizing administrative buildings. Most likely, there will be legal consequences of this situation, they will find those responsible and condemn them, ”Asafov believes.

From Michigan to California  

The situation that has developed in Michigan, experts largely explain the internal socio-economic problems of the state. According to the director of the Franklin Roosevelt Foundation for the Study of the United States at Moscow State University, Yuri Rogulev, Michigan can not be called a prosperous region. Now the problems have escalated even more due to restrictive measures, the analyst said. 

"Self-isolation strikes at the incomes of the population, small entrepreneurs, therefore those citizens who do not agree with the decisions of local authorities on restrictive measures are rebelling," Rogulev explained.  

From his point of view, the bulk of the protesters are citizens with conservative and republican views. 

“Conservatives are fighting for the freedom of enterprise, the freedom to control their own destiny, therefore, the current situation is perceived more acutely. Each state has its own situation with coronavirus and the economy. Economically more prosperous states are experiencing easier this situation, and such as Michigan and Wisconsin, which are depressed, are much more acute, ”the political scientist added. 

However, not only Republicans from the states of the Midwest oppose restrictive measures. The well-known billionaire and inventor Ilon Musk expressed dissatisfaction with the self-isolation regime and restrictions on work.

The head of Tesla and Space X during a video conference described the current state of affairs as violating human rights. 

• Billionaire and inventor Elon Musk
• Reuters
• © Steve Nesius

“Frankly, I would call the forced imprisonment of people in their own homes a violation of constitutional rights. This is a terrible violation of freedom and not what people come to America for or work for it. This is simply outrageous, ”Business Insider quoted him as saying. 

In addition, Musk actively supported like-minded people from Silicon Valley, distributing their statements on social networks. His agreement was expressed by Facebook investor and board member Mark Andrissen, Uber investor Jason Kalakanis and investor Ross Gerber.  

However, experts note that in this way, billionaires from high-tech companies are more likely to pursue their own business interests than to really worry about American infringed rights. So, the same Elon Musk openly expressed dissatisfaction with the restrictive measures that adversely affected his Tesla plant in California.  

At the same time, according to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, too quickly lifting restrictions can lead to the emergence of new foci of the disease. 

“Direct Electoral Damage”

The idea to abolish restrictive measures in the near future, which the White House is lobbying for, does not cause understanding among senior officials of the US Ministry of Health. On April 29, when the number of COVID-19 infections in the United States exceeded one million, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, US Anthony Fauci, said the second wave of the coronavirus epidemic is “inevitable.”  

“I am almost convinced that the epidemic will recur. The virus has a high degree of transmission and has spread all over the world, ”quoted The Hill quoted Fauci as saying.  

• Michigan State Capitol Protestors
• AFP
• © Jeff Kowalsky

The US chief epidemiologist added that along with the removal of restrictive measures, the scope of testing for the disease and the presence of antibodies should increase, and it is necessary to isolate all those who came into contact with newly diagnosed cases. 

“If by that time we take all necessary measures to solve this problem, we will be able to transfer the second wave quite well. But if we fail, we will have a difficult autumn and a difficult winter, ”said Fauchi.  

At the same time, experts state that despite the warnings of doctors and experts, restrictive measures have a very negative effect on the position of Donald Trump and his administration.  

“Trump, as a businessman, understands the consequences of delaying this period - after all, the longer this crisis lasts, the deeper the economic decline. In recent months, GDP fell by 4%, unemployment has grown tremendously. Undoubtedly, this situation can develop into an economic crisis. Trump tried to conduct his campaign on the basis of a successful economic policy, but now his base is actually getting under his feet, ”Yuri Rogulev explained.  

According to Alexander Asafov’s forecast, Trump will do everything possible to “open up the US economy”, despite warnings about the second wave of the epidemic.  

“For Trump, the most important problem that can cause direct electoral damage is unemployment. Today it is colossal, and how to deal with it, apart from injecting money into the economy, is not very clear. Trump claims that the peak has been passed, he is attacking WHO in order to justify his actions, proving that his measures are effective and not many people die, although this is cunning, ”Asafov explained.  

According to him, the growth of the national economy for Trump is an important proof of the effectiveness of his activities and a chance to strengthen his election position.  

“Undoubtedly, Trump’s main trump cards are economics and the fight against immigration, so even during a pandemic he will adhere to these lines in order to win the election,” the expert concluded.