What Patriotism Is Not

Dear right-wing "patriots,"

I know all of you taking to the streets to protest business closures think you are great American patriots. But guess what?

• Walking around wearing a T-shirt or bandana printed with the American flag on it does not make you a patriot. 
• Attending a rally demanding that businesses be allowed to reopen despite the known risks of spreading the coronavirus does not make you a patriot. 
• Attending a rally with an assault rifle strapped across your chest does not make you a patriot. 
• Blocking streets to prevent critically ill patients from getting to a hospital does not make you a patriot. 
• Preventing medical personnel from getting to the hospital to treat critically ill patients does not make you a patriot.  
• Making threats against governors, mayors and other elected officials because you disagree with their decisions does not make you a patriot.
• Waving an American flag does not make you a patriot. 
• Waving a Confederate flag does not make you a patriot.
• Ignoring social distancing requirements does not make you a patriot.
• Crowding beaches just because the weather is nice does not make you a patriot.
• Protesting business closures while dressed in scrubs when you're not a doctor or nurse does not make you a patriot.

Exhibiting loyalty to and being willing to fight for the United States make one a patriot. Members of the military who fight for, and too often die for, their country are patriots. Keeping doctors and nurses from getting to the hospitals where they put their lives on the line every day is NOT patriotism.

Notice what I said: fighting for the United States. Patriotism doesn't mean doing what you think is best for you, or what you want, but what is best for the country you profess to love.

You want to be able to get back to work? Great! Everybody else wants this, too. But the way to do this is to stay home and help health care workers get this deadly virus under control so when businesses do open, everybody will be safe. If you don't do that, the next outbreak of coronavirus is likely to be much worse.

Rather than wasting time protesting because you don't like something, how about doing something helpful such as helping out an elderly neighbor (while maintaining social distance) or learning a new skill, or broadening your mind?

People of my father's generation went to war to protect America. All we are being asked to do is to stay home. While you're home, do some reading about some of America's true patriots. And please stop defiling the American flag by wearing it on your sweaty body!