Editor’s Thought Bubble: The legislature returns, more dangerous than ever

Today marks the first day that Arizona’s 55th Legislature will meet. It will be the first time that state lawmakers have gathered to do the people’s business since late May, when they briefly convened after a nearly two-month hiatus due to fears of the coronavirus.

Now, of course, our situation is much more dire, but lawmakers are intent on conducting the legislative session in person. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see that there will inevitably be a COVID outbreak at the Capitol that will include legislators, staff, lobbyists and members of the public — especially since so many Republican lawmakers continue to pretend the 627,000 confirmed cases and 10,147 deaths our state has seen don’t exist (or don’t matter) and refuse to follow simple public health measures like wearing masks.

One would hope that the health and safety of everyone in the legislative buildings would be paramount. Unfortunately, there’s clear evidence that selfishness and willful ignorance will ultimately rule the day — and endanger lives.