It is what it is. This is a phrase that has become very popular. I admit, I say it every now and then. I use it as a phrase of acceptance. There’s not much I can do about the particular situation I’m referring to. An example might be I get to the restaurant for my 7:00 pm reservation and the place is so crowded I know my 7:00 pm reservation won’t be honored until 8:00 pm. Ok it is what it is.
But when the President of the United States describes the 150,000 plus deaths from coronavirus as it is what it is, I think that might just be a bit cavalier when describing this national tragedy. This is not the time to say it is what it is, as if there is nothing more he can do to confront this awful pandemic.
To say he’s done nothing would be unfair but to also say he hasn’t done nearly enough would also be wholly accurate. He needed a total national response with a war room that dealt with the response on a national level. Each state should not have been left to its own response. National executive orders should have been signed. A national mandatory face mask order should be issued. A national delivery of PPE should have been developed. National testing and tracing should be required. Dealing with this pandemic is a war and should be treated as such by the federal government. Dealing with the pandemic should not be viewed as it is what it is but what is it more that we need to do to stop the sickness and death.
