Cops killing in the streets causes uncontrollable anger, writes Tyler Cowen, yet more than 105,000 dead due to Covid-19 has yet to register
Cops killing in the streets causes uncontrollable anger, yet more than 105,000 dead due to Covid-19 has yet to registerPeople take part in a protest against the death of George Floyd, in Manhattan, New York, the US, May 31 2020. Picture: REUTERS/EDUARDO MUNOZ
You might think that those 40,000-plus deaths would be a major national scandal. But so far the response has been subdued. Yes, there has been ample news coverage, but there are no riots in response, no social movement to “clean up the nursing homes”, no Ralph Nader-like crusader who has made this their political cause.
One possibility is that Americans are responding to what is visible, and nursing homes are among the most secluded and segregated parts of society. A lot of Americans have never been in one, and news coverage of them tends to be more policy-focused. You might argue that America today is simply and hopelessly polarised, and thus Trump can emerge from all this relatively unscathed. Surely there is truth to that. But if enough unlikely voters decided to turn out and register their dissatisfaction with the status quo, it would suffice to sway the election. It is far from obvious that such an increase in civic engagement will occur.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cops launch manhunt after PE man dies in rain of bullets in drive-by shootingPolice are looking for witnesses or anyone who might know something about the incident.
Read more »
How to fail, but look good doing itCould government's hit-and-miss approach at regulation-making, and pretence at engaging with citizens really just be an elaborate ploy to cover their own behinds when the death toll starts climbing?
Read more »
Depression risk a bad reason to jettison macroeconomic policy frameworksSA’s monetary policy mandate is flexible and symmetric, allowing active support to the economy, writes Chris Loewald
Read more »
Superstars hit the pause button in support of US anti-racist protestsRecord labels announce TheShowMustBePaused for Tuesday as America continues to burn with rage
Read more »
US foes delight in criticising US as protests flareWith US cities in flames over outrage about police brutality, nations that are usually on the receiving end of Washington's criticism on human rights are gleefully turning the tables.
Read more »
ANCWL in KZN comes out in support of Dlamini-Zuma after ‘racist’ caricatureMbali Fraser of the ANCWL in KZN said Dlamini-Zuma had been the subject of unfair criticism and racist outrage since the start of the lockdown, and this needed to stop.
Read more »