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Please practice what you preach on social distancing
Dear Gov. Ralph DLG Torres: I felt compelled to respond to you and your PIO, Kevin Bautista, after reading your press release claiming only two minority members showed up to the meeting you called for on Thursday, March 19.
You see, governor, two members of the minority did show up to the meeting you held in your conference room: Reps. Sheila Babauta and Ed Villagomez. The four remaining minority members—Reps. Tina Sablan, Richard Lizama, Donald Manglona, and myself—attended via Messenger. In other words, we teleconferenced through Rep. Babauta’s phone. We listened attentively to everything discussed.
Governor, you have been telling people to stay home and not to have gatherings of more than 10 people, yet you wanted to hold a meeting with the entire Legislature, the COVID-19 Task Force, your PIO, and other Cabinet members. Think about that. It is reckless to hold a large meeting in a small conference room where people cannot practice six feet of separation. Rep. Tina Sablan asked if we could teleconference in. Why couldn’t you simply make this happen? Have you heard of Zoom? It’s a great teleconferencing app that is being used by our minority team, as well as other working professionals.
In the spirit of cooperation and unity, please feel free to call me anytime on my personal cell phone at 287-7883. I also ask that you think about the safety of others and embrace social distancing. We must practice what we preach.
Yes, this crisis is bigger than politics. It requires some humility in all of us. While we must be united in fighting this crisis together, expect us to disagree and debate policies that we may not agree on. That is not politics. That is progress. Again, feel free to reach out to me anytime or to call me on Zoom or Messenger or WhatsApp. Thank you and may God bless you and your family.
Edwin K. Propst
House of Representatives
21st Legislature, Capital Hill
