Gov. McMaster deserves praise for his approach to moving SC forward amid COVID-19

COVID-19 is here to stay — perhaps indefinitely, according to growing consensus among members of the scientific community.

It is an uncomfortable reality that leads to an undeniable conclusion: measured management of this virus is the only way forward.

Despite renewed calls for another economic shutdown — which was recently proposed by The State Editorial Board — policy decisions are rarely black and white.

As former chief of staff to Gov. Nikki Haley and current executive director of accelerateSC, I know well what governance entails, and it rarely involves binary decision-making.

“Shut down or open up” is a false choice.

We are capable of a more nuanced approach that balances our public health with economic health.

Don’t reverse progress

AccelerateSC was created to serve as South Carolina’s coordinated economic revitalization task force. This diverse group of participants worked diligently to develop a set of recommendations for safely and deliberately reopening businesses and reigniting our economy.

Each of those recommendations involved implementing protective safety protocols for different sectors of the economy — including nearly every type of business. AccelerateSC’s work was critical to moving forward and finding solutions to solve problems.

We already know the likely consequence of another shutdown based on the lingering effects from the initial wave of the pandemic.

Right now unemployment claims are falling, and another shutdown will reverse the progress we have made.

There would be more job loss and more pain for struggling families.

That’s why we must slow the spread of this virus by exercising personal responsibility. Wear a mask. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands. And follow the recommendations of accelerateSC and our public health authorities.

Together we can boost the public health and economic well-being of our communities, state and nation.

McMaster is right

There is a blueprint for success in South Carolina for tackling the challenges of this pandemic. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, went so far as to praise our coronavirus response as one he would “almost want to clone.”

For those who claim we have not gone far enough — and who advocate draconian measures that disregard the role that personal responsibility plays in confronting this pandemic — consider the facts.

In response to rising coronavirus cases, Gov. Henry McMaster did the right thing when he recently required masks in virtually every congregate setting imaginable.

His requirement came on top of the 50% to 60% of South Carolinians who were already living in areas where masks were either required or recommended — and nearly every major retailer in the state now requires masks to be worn.

Leadership during a time of crisis requires an acknowledgment that dynamic situations evolve over time, and leaders must adapt to address new challenges.

There are leaders around this country — from New York City to Los Angeles — whose draconian mandates serve as stark reminders of the dangers of government overreach when we can least afford it.

Like Gov. McMaster, I believe in the people of South Carolina.

There is no challenge too steep for them to tackle through working together, taking personal responsibility and watching out for their neighbors. Collectively we can and must work together to stem the tide of this virus and improve the economic outlook for our citizens.

I have seen firsthand the burden that our state’s leaders must bear when making decisions that impact lives, and those who write unhelpful missives create discord without offering a corresponding solution.

They are not helping to address the problem.

I applaud the governor for taking steps to safely reopen the state and set us on a course for recovery.

The governor is right to say that we must continue to get back to work. He is right to say that our students must go back to school. Most importantly he is right to seek reasonable solutions to an unprecedented crisis, which is something that many seem completely unwilling to do.

Governance is about finding solutions — it is not about perpetuating paralysis.

James Burns served as chief of staff for former Gov. Nikki Haley and is a chair of accelerateSC.

This story was originally published August 11, 2020 at 1:04 PM with the headline "Gov. McMaster deserves praise for his approach to moving SC forward amid COVID-19."