Thom Tillis’ COVID-19 plan is thoughtful, thorough and way too late
There may be few people as busy as an incumbent legislator in a tight race for reelection, and Thom Tillis might be among the busiest. Each week brings new announcements of bills the U.S. Senator from North Carolina has a hand in, each designed to show he’s working hard for the everyday folks who happen to have a say in his future this fall.
That’s not a bad thing. We like our elected officials to be productive, which is why we were intrigued last week by a news release from the senator’s office titled: “Tillis Releases Plan to Help Defeat COVID-19, Protect North Carolinians, and Prepare for the Next Pandemic.” The plan that followed is a multi-pronged approach to coronvirus prevention, PPE protection for hospitals and front-line workers, and efforts to improve testing and tracing infrastructure.
It’s thoughtful blueprint for attacking the pandemic. It’s exactly what North Carolina needed - four months ago.
An example: This week’s plan includes a proposal to improve the country’s strategic national stockpile and strengthen domestic PPE manufacturing. But the bill Tillis co-sponsored that would do so was introduced in late May, long after governors and Democrats complained about an urgent need for PPE and other equipment. Tillis was not among the very few Republicans who sounded the alarm then on the chaotic PPE shortage states were confronting - something Trump called “fake news.”
Even now, several states - including North Carolina - say that requests for supplies have not been filled. Tillis should be a louder advocate for his state and for this administration being ready when the next wave of COVID arrives.
Certainly, North Carolinians should note that Tillis was one of few Republicans who supported Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay at home restrictions in March. That support was an important signal early on that North Carolinians should recognize the real threat that COVID presented. Tillis also was one of the few senators to mention on social media early on the importance of wearing masks, something the president and members of his party resisted.
We wish the senator also would buck his party now and work toward legislation that would truly help North Carolinians who are struggling in the pandemic. For starters, Tillis could fight for a reasonable compromise with Democrats that extends meaningful unemployment benefits. Tillis’ COVID-19 plan, which provides robust protection for businesses threatened by the virus, didn’t do the same for the jobless. Instead, if the unemployed want COVID-19 relief, Tillis offers a silly prescription - a bill he and four Republicans introduced that would allow Americans to sue China for its role in COVID-19.
The measure was another attempt from Tillis and other Republicans to deflect blame from Trump’s woeful response to the virus. But it’s also an act of self-preservation. Tillis knows that voters might also be judging his unwillingness to stand up months ago and say what the president and Americans needed to hear about COVID-19. Leadership is doing the right thing right away, not just when it’s politically OK.
An earlier version of this editorial incorrectly said Thom Tillis was “too timid” in urging constituents and Americans early in the pandemic to wear masks. Tillis did so on social media in April and May.
This story was originally published July 27, 2020 at 4:00 AM.