About the 2020 DNC Convention and should we even think about having it at all (in-person that is)
What I’m going to say will probably make some of you think “Why did I vote to re-elect this guy” or start proceedings to have me removed. To the others who wanted to say the following but couldn’t bring themselves to do so, you’re welcome. I have to get this off my chest as a Father who will be going home to two young boys if I do attend the 2020 DNC Convention.
The following major events have been canceled or heavily modified:
• The Golden Globes, the Oscars, and Broadway.
• The usual summertime concerts i.e. Coachella and Dreamville.
• The Puerto Rican Parade.
• All the major sports including the 2020 Olympics. Even WWE is wrestling behind what amounts to be a plexiglass shield.
• Universities and Schools canceling in-person fall semester. I still don’t know about my oldest son's status as he enters Kindergarten.
• “GHOE” better known as North Carolina A&T State University Homecoming (this is more significant than you think).
• *Insert other major events here📥*
Not to mention COVID rates are increasing throughout the nation and in the state of Wisconsin where the convention is going to take place.
Although the DNC, including myself, has voted to allow the convention committee to consider other plans up to having it virtually, to date we have yet to get a report on how they plan to move with the convention with things as they are. The convention is set to take place on August 17 and delegates are still in standby mode.
Questions are plenty and the obvious ones come to mind like will they have tests on-site? Have hotels and other amenities been thoroughly cleaned and independently verified? Will thermal imaging be in-place like those found in some airports? What happens if a person comes down sick only to find they are positive? Will the whole convention be shutdown? For those who do attend, will they be forced to self-quarantine once they return? Are you willing to self-quarantine if you go?
“𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝑵𝑪 𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏!” True but similar to real life, I only worry about family and friends. Let them do what they want at their own risk.
I write this knowing very well the importance of this election and the need to present our nominee so I won’t be wasting the time expanding on that. I also know that, from a business standpoint, the money a convention generates for the party.
Yet, my biggest question, asking not as a DNC member is simply this; With things as it stands, is it worth the risk and tempting the chance of bringing this home to family and friends? For the sake of the party and the privilege of saying “I was there” for Instagram likes with hashtags included, it’s a decision many of us will have to decide in the dead of night when alone in our thoughts. I am truly sorry for those where this convention will be their first. It’s a decision that I can only imagine will be even harder to come to.
Personally, as much as I have sacrificed and given of myself to the Democratic party, sometimes losing out on time with my own family and friends, I don’t feel confident in the way the party is handling this or will (I hear the audible gasp and the “I won’t be voting for you again” behind the screen).
So I write this not sure if I, with a good conscience, can come up with a good reason why I should go to the convention and bring that risk back home. I have yet to decide but the very fact I write this may indicate I am only fooling myself and already made up my mind. But for those who will attend, just do us a favor and self-isolate when you get back home.
John Verdejo
Democratic National Committee
North Carolina
