[Ed: This talk by Dr. Brodale is the fifth that the DRGO leadership team prepared for the Second Amendment Foundation’s 35th annual Gun Rights Policy Conference. However, we couldn’t deliver it there because it was considered to diverge from the single issue of gun rights. But the physicians of DRGO are as united in the fight for people’s lives and freedoms in health as for their RKBA. See this one, with our four GRPC talks, on the DRGO YouTube channel or at 2:17:23 here. The entire schedule of all GRPC sessions is here, divided into 4 parts on the SAF channel].
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Hello, GRPC 2020. I’m Dr. Sean Brodale, with Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership. I’m a family practice certified doctor of osteopathic medicine working full-time in the ER. I’m also the medical director of a rural emergency department.
I want you to know, we are at war. We are at war with an enemy we fight every day, but one that was never before seen. We are at war with an enemy so small that it takes an electron scanning microscope to see it—but we see its effects all around us. We are at war with an enemy that appeared so powerful, the world closed its doors. Populations were ordered to stay inside, and many industries nearly ceased production.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, abbreviated SARS-CoV-2, is the virus that causes COVID-19. It is the smallest enemy that we and the world have fought on such a large scale for over 100 years, since the 1919 Spanish flu.
We’ve had epidemics and wars, and men and women have died in great numbers. Nothing has brought the world to its knees like this has today. No country or people go unaffected. Many who are affected go unnoticed. We cannot see this enemy. We need to take precautions to avoid this enemy until we know how to fight it effectively.
If we come into contact with this enemy, we do not know for sure what effect it will have on us. We may walk away unscathed, have minor short-lived injuries, be critically injured and survive, or we may die. After we encounter this enemy, we may unknowingly assist him in his campaign by spreading his forces among those we love and associate with.
I think we can use principles common in the RKBA community to help fight this war.
- Let’s start with situational awareness: Avoid those who you know are sick. When you go out in public, avoid close contact with others, because you do not know who may be spreading this enemy.
- Personal preparation: Update your EDC by keeping yourself healthy. Get plenty of vitamins, especially vitiamin C, zinc, vitamin D, and others that help your immune system work well.
- Drink plenty of water: Half a gallon to a full gallon of water a day is a good place to start.
- Get plenty of rest: If you’re off your normal work schedule, don’t let your sleep schedule get off as well. Good sleep hygiene will help your body fight this war.
- And protect other civilians: This includes wearing a mask when you go out. This is as much to protect others from what you don’t know you have, though it can help protect you too.
I know the use of masks has been controversial, but so is carrying guns. As the saying goes, I would rather carry a gun every day and not need it, than not carry it and need it. Right? A mask will not stop this enemy completely, that’s true. It will reduce your exposure to COVID and your exposure of someone else. Even if it only does a little bit, that little bit, done by everyone, will make a big difference.
Your mask is a new addition to your EDC—it’s your open carry, no matter what else you’re carrying. By not wearing a mask, you’re only giving the left ammunition. Every new case of COVID, every new death attributed to COVID, is another round in the automatic weapons of the Left. You can be assured that any reasons they have to restrict our rights will be automatic. If they get that foothold, than our very personal freedoms will be threatened. We cannot stand for that for even a second.
- Last, help the fighting forces. Don’t go to the doctor unless you have to. If you think you need to be seen, call first. Most illnesses and minor injuries will heal themselves. But if you’re concerned, please call and discuss this with your primary care providers first. They should be able to direct you. If you think you have COVID-19, again, ask your doctor. We may eventually agree on a treatment but for now, stay at home unless you have shortness of breath, chest pain or otherwise need to be hospitalized.
Right now, as health care providers who hold our rights in high regard, specifically the right to keep and bear arms, we see many of our rights being infringed upon. We see government officials taking broad steps to limit our movement, our ways to make a living, our ability to associate with others, and even our ability to keep and bear arms.
There is much we can do to fight back against overreach of government control. Together, we can fight this virus and the anti-freedom politicians exploiting it.
Stay safe, and stay healthy!
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— Dr. Sean Brodale is a family practitioner in Iowa. He is pursuing the right to carry in hospitals for eligible medical personnel. At DRGO he is involved in membership and public engagement projects.