opinion

Joe Bruno| Sarasota Herald-Tribune

As we are nearing the end of 2020 the most tumultuous year that I, a Libertarian Republican, has ever experienced in my more than seven decades onEarth what disturbs me the most is that our country, our state and our city are more divided than ever before.

In this community, for example, the extreme divides are among Democrats and Republicans, as well among conservatives and liberals. But what's most disturbing is our division on racial lines: I have lived in Sarasota for more than 25 years, and Ive seen racism rear its ugly head here much more often than I saw during nearly 50 years of living in New York City.

This sense of division didn't just happen, but it has gotten worse under the last two presidents: neither Barack Obama norDonald Trump made much of an effort to unite us. That's why we're now in a situation where even though Joe Biden clearly defeated Trump in last month's presidential election, we're still being inundated with unsubstantiated claims that the presidency has been stolen from Trump.

As a lifetime member of a members-only, nonprofit Sarasota establishment an entitythat also hasa bar that I visit on occasion I still hear people state without equivocation that Trump was robbed. These people are genuinely indignant, but when I ask them for definitive proof rather than circumstantial evidence, they only give me angry glares. I actually think that some people feel that even though I am a Republican, I'm somehow betraying my own party.

What is also disturbing is how divided we are regarding how to combat the coronavirus. Locally the rules and regulations concerning COVID-19 are different based on which jurisdiction you'rein and which political party happens to control that jurisdiction.

Sarasota County is run by the Republicans. They have issued a public advisory for people to wear masks in public if social distancing is not possible. But mask-wearing is not mandated in public outdoor spaces; restaurants in the county can mandate mask-wearing in their establishments, but they are not compelled by the county to do so.

However, the Democrats who run the city of Sarasota have applied more stringent requirements. In July the city passed an ordinance that requires face coverings be worn in indoor and outdoor public locations and businesses within the City of Sarasota" in order to help with the spread of COVID-19.

The ordinance also states, In short, if you are inside or outside a public place in the City of Sarasota, cant physically or socially distance (six feet away from others) and do not fall within one of the exceptions listed in the ordinance, you need to wear a face covering. In addition the city threatened to fine those who violated the ordinance.

But once again partisan politics came into play.

In September Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, issued an executive order that effectively cut the legs out from under the city of Sarasotas mask ordinance and suspended the collection of fines and penalties associated with COVID-19 enforced upon individuals.

So what should we Sarasotans, regardless ofour political affiliation, do to best safeguard ourselves and our families against a virus that remains deadly as we wait for widespread distribution of the vaccines to combat it?

I can't influence what others do in the communitynor is it what I would want to do.

But this is what I do.

When I go to a grocery store or a department store anywhere in Sarasota County, I always wear a mask. Yes, its uncomfortable, but thats what the business requires. So thats what I do. Why be obnoxious and cause unnecessary problemsfor the employees of that establishment?

But when it comes to restaurants, I refuse to go to any dining establishment in Sarasota County that requires me to wear a mask to come inside. I find that rule silly onceyou are seated, you can take off your mask and not be required to put it back on at any time, even when you leave the restaurant. So whats the point of the rulein the first place?

In other words, I actively respect the rights of others to remain safe without sacrificing my right to make my own choices in living my life.

It can done, and it is thiseven-handed, civil approach that I would like to see all of us embrace more often as we face COVID-19 and many other issues during the year ahead.

This is my New Year's wish for all Sarasotans.

Let's embrace the famous line that the late actor Wilford Brimley would always utter in his popular commercials for Quaker Oats years ago: Its the right thing to do.

Joe Bruno is a Sarasota resident and the author of 60 books, both fiction and nonfiction. He is also a Media Member of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame.

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My New Year's wish for Sarasotans - Sarasota Herald-Tribune