CONWAY, S.C. — The primary point out of the coronavirus pandemic was a joke.A grasp of ceremonies was explaining to a crowd of greater than 100 ind
CONWAY, S.C. — The primary point out of the coronavirus pandemic was a joke.
A grasp of ceremonies was explaining to a crowd of greater than 100 individuals why the keynote audio system — home-state Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott — have been operating a bit late.
“It’s important to perceive, they haven’t acquired to do any politicking for some time,” stated the M.C., Robert Rabon of the Horry County Republican Get together. “They’re like a child in a sweet retailer — they’re going wild!”
And with that passing point out, South Carolina Republicans returned to the traditional rhythm of the marketing campaign path, coronavirus all the identical.
The out of doors gathering right here on Thursday was a send-off occasion for Cleo Steele, a longtime Republican Get together operative in Horry County, who’s retiring to Ohio. Audio system shared the identical microphone. Native and state political candidates greeted voters with handshakes and squeezed tight for photos. Of all of the individuals gathered outdoors the county Republican workplace — a lot of them senior residents — fewer than a dozen wore masks.
“Social distancing tips are really helpful,” the invitation had stated. “Hand sanitizer and face masks will likely be accessible.” In actuality, in keeping with interviews with greater than a dozen attendees, the occasion was an energetic rejection of habits that the hyper-conservative crowd has come to affiliate with liberal enemies in current months — sporting masks and gloves, staying six ft away from different individuals, avoiding bodily contact.
To deal with the coronavirus as one thing to be feared, they stated, was a political act incongruous with their values.
Dwayne “Duke” Buckner, who’s difficult Mr. Graham within the Republican Senate main subsequent month and got here to the occasion to satisfy voters, stated he had just lately stopped adhering to public well being tips, which he described as overly burdensome.
“You possibly can quote me on this,” Mr. Buckner stated. “When the nice Lord calls you dwelling, a masks ain’t going to cease it.”
August Savello, 49, stated he adopted Dr. Steven Hotze, a Republican activist who has printed movies corresponding to “Coronavirus Mass Hysteria,” and most popular to do his personal analysis somewhat than listening to state and federal public well being officers like Dr. Anthony S. Fauci.
“A virus is a virus is a virus, and there’s viruses round us on a regular basis,” he stated. “My father had it and he’s 79 years outdated. He stated it was like a foul flu.”
That the occasion was held the identical week that the pandemic’s dying toll in america crossed 100,000 mirrored the different realities of the virus along political, racial and geographic lines. In densely populated urban centers, more likely to be inhabited by Democrats and racial minorities, high infection rates have completely upended daily life and made social distancing largely nonnegotiable. Here in coastal Horry County, which includes Myrtle Beach and is overwhelmingly Republican, news of relaxed restrictions on social gatherings was treated with relief.
Michael LaPierre, a right-wing Senate candidate who came to the event with dozens of supporters who pestered Mr. Graham, said he had no reservations about extending handshakes and taking pictures, or as he put it, “pressing flesh and kissing babies.”
“We wipe our hands and take precautions,” said Mr. LaPierre, who is 70 and lives with his 99-year-old mother-in-law. “But I spent 28 months in Vietnam and crashed six times in a helicopter. I’m going to die when I’m going to die.”
During the program, Ms. Steele, seated in a wheelchair, was presented with commendations from Mr. Graham and Mr. Scott, as well as awards from local and state Republicans. Speakers posed for pictures with the honoree, hugging her close as they applauded her years of service. Aides to Mr. Graham and Mr. Scott wore masks. The senators did not.
Behind the outdoor podium, a full-fledged marketplace of pro-Trump merchandise attracted a gaggle of customers. In the center sat a bronze bust of the president, which some rubbed for luck and posed with for pictures.
At the program’s conclusion, Mr. Rabon called up more than a dozen state and local candidates, who introduced themselves to the audience, shared a portion of their political platform, and returned to the crowd for meet-and-greets.
“Candidates — State House, State Senate, and the House — line up,” Mr. Rabon said. “Don’t take a long time.”
He coughed into the microphone, and passed it to the first speaker.