Why My Friend Left Facebook

Apparently my recent posting about social media bullying really resonated with a lot of people. Several have commented about how they’ve been victimized. Including a friend who is a medical professional.

My friend, who I will call Warren, happens to be an ardent Trump supporter. But he can’t believe the way other people who also voted for Trump are treating him because of what he’s shared on Facebook.

Throughout the pandemic, Warren has been generous with sharing his knowledge of the virus and how it works. He works in a hospital that was — at the peak of the pandemic — overwhelmed with patients. And the number of hospitalizations is growing again, thanks, he says, to the advent of two new variants that are taking hold in a number of states.

There are those, including his fellow conservatives, who have made a political issue out of the virus. Who argue that the social distancing and mask mandates are political in nature. They argue the COVID pandemic’s was overblown last year to drive Donald Trump from office. And believe restrictions remain in place as an excuse to wrench away our freedoms.

Warren has been patiently explaining to several Facebook groups the science behind the restrictions. He’s been pointing out that social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands are prudent preventative measures. He notes that he…