For about 2 months now, the main thing on the minds of Americans has been the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe. With more Americans filing for unemployment than ever before, the hardest thing being hit by this virus (other than human lives, of course) is arguably the economy. With businesses shutting down left and right, #OPENAMERICANOW and #ReopenAmerica have begun trending on Twitter, with people from both the left and right side of the aisle debating the reopening of businesses across the country.
Setting aside New York and a few others cities—America’s COVID numbers are basically on par with Germany’s. Trump’s first instinct—Easter—was prescient for huge swaths of America. #Freedom #ReopenAmerica
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) April 10, 2020
It would be one thing if the MAGA were like, "We just don't believe people would really die. #OPENAMERICANOW because it's safe." But they're like, "Look, some people just have to die, so I can keep making a lot of money. Because, I like money."
— 🆘Rev Magdalen |This Machine Dismantles Patriarchy (@revmagdalen) April 11, 2020
Many on the right believe in reopening businesses because they believe the numbers being presented to them paint a false picture.
We are being lied to. The models over estimated the deaths by factors of thousands… we now know the recorded deaths are not even purely from Covid. Meanwhile 17 Million Americans have lost their jobs in just 3 weeks, businesses shutting over this fraud. #ReopenAmerica https://t.co/4b0jEF4M07
— Melissa A. (@TheRightMelissa) April 8, 2020
These people feel as though they’re being lied to, affecting not only the economy of the country as a whole but their right to practice religion as well.
This is the truth whether it’s popular or not. #OPENAMERICANOW pic.twitter.com/N0shbOcXD3
— Pastor Greg Locke (@pastorlocke) April 11, 2020
The left seems to be taking a very different approach to the use of these hashtags, often taking the opportunity to meme the situation, some even criticizing those who choose to discuss the reopening while also social distancing.
BREAKING NEWS: Trump appoints officials on council to re-open America! #ReopenAmerica pic.twitter.com/ZDkJOhnklF
— Kali Miller (@kalimillerr) April 13, 2020
The hypocrites from the Kansas Supreme Court would love to #OPENAMERICANOW, as they sit in the social distance safety of their homes, deciding whether to send churchgoers to an Easter congregational death. pic.twitter.com/7ZwJ6p8dpm
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) April 11, 2020
While my opinion lies with those who want to continue the shutdown for safety reasons, it’s clear to see that reopening businesses has become quite the hot-button issue on Twitter.