The Governor Who Cried Wolf

Why Roy Cooper’s COVID Rhetoric is So Damaging

On a sunny and fair afternoon three days before Thanksgiving, Gov. Roy Cooper strode swiftly to the lectern at the Emergency Operations Center, removed a plain black mask from his face, and issued what he termed a stark warning for the people of North Carolina.

“We are in danger,” he said. “Our actions now will determine the fate of many.”

In Gov. Cooper’s view, there was nothing to be thankful for, only a “dire” update to give on COVID-19. There was no encouragement, only enforcement. No faith or family, only fear.

Over the past eight months, Gov. Cooper has consistently used fear as his main rhetorical device on COVID-19, attempting to scare the people of North Carolina into doing the right things to prevent its spread.

Gov. Cooper has described the virus as “sinister,” and reminded us that the virus “can strike anyone at any time.”

To be sure, COVID-19 is serious. We all know someone who has died or been hospitalized due to the virus. For older people and for people with pre-existing co…