The Emerging Coronavirus Culture War: UVA Political Science Professor Lawless LIVE

The Emerging Coronavirus Culture War: UVA Political Science Professor Lawless LIVE

University of Virginia Professor of Political Science Jennifer Lawless appeared on GoLocal LIVE where she talked about the latest in national politics, including the ongoing debates about wearings masks during the coronavirus crisis — as well as when to reopen states’ economies. 

“All of the arguments about the budget, all the discussions about spending priorities, all the discussions about the kinds of programs we’re putting forward are under this umbrella of the coronavirus,” said Lawless. 

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“It’s not surprising that the culture war that’s about to emerge is not going to be about abortion or guns — it’s going to be under this broad umbrella,” said Lawless. “The difference is that it’s really, really dangerous because people’s health is at stake, people’s lives are at stake."

“Keep in mind — and I think the CDC has done a good job of explaining, at least Dr. Fauci has — if you can social distance, especially if it’s hot and humid out you cannot wear the mask. So there are ways to be safe and be careful and not feel so constrained,” she said. 

“The issue is that if you’re going to be out there and you’re doing to be close to other people to take that into account, and I think a lot of these nuances are getting lost in the discussion,” said Lawless. “It’s either we’re supporting a complete reopening or we’re supporting being hermits for the rest of our lives and I think that’s an artificial distinction.”