Why Coronavirus Increasingly Exacerbates the Red-Blue Divide

There are three things that matter with COVID-19, and none of them are political.
1. Density of population

– different from other areas
– highly contagions like the flu
– densely populated areas with transmit

2.severity varies
– you can get a light case or a very serious case
– depends on how large a does of COVID you get; similar to the flu.

3. vulnerable groups & elderly
– 98% of the people infected survive.
– those that don’t are medically fragile for the most part
– or, in densely populated areas like nursing homes, meat packing plants or prisons

But, the map of COVID-19 cases resembles the map of presidential election results. Why?

Because that map and the three items listed above are in sync. Plus one other.

The collateral damage of density of population and vulnerable populations is dependency. Dependence on transportation, food, jobs and other government services. And, thus the allure to big government, to central control and to socialism. Outside of these densely populated areas still resides personal responsibility, self-reliance and resolve. Basics for the success of the American experiment for 244 years.

COVID-19 does n0t see that ideology. But it impacts that ideology none the less.

Democratic states feel they aren’t getting the help they need from GOP senators, while Republican ones think they bear an unfair economic burden

Two-thirds of confirmed coronavirus cases are in states with Democratic governors. When states are measured by the sheer number of coronavirus cases, six of the top seven have Democratic governors. Together, those six blue states have about half of the nation’s cases, though only about a third of its population.

Coronavirus deaths tell a similar story. Eight of the nine states with the most deaths due to the virus are states with Democratic governors. When measured by deaths per capita, eight of the top nine states also have Democratic governors.

Obviously, the virus isn’t picking partisan sides. It moves without regard to borders or political affiliation. It just happens that more of the blue states have densely populated metro areas, heavily used mass transit systems and colder climates, which help the virus spread more easily. In some cases, they also have older populations more vulnerable to it.

These aren’t partisan distinctions. Massachusetts with its Republican governor, Charlie Baker, has been hit as hard as its Northeastern neighbors.

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