Really, Idaho? Supporting health workers with rallies? What about the stay-home order?

Despite the hailstorm of COVID-19 wrath sure to rain upon me, I gotta ask you a question, Idaho.

Are you in, or are you out?

Do you support Gov. Brad Little’s stay-in-your-dang-house order, or do you oppose it?

You’re in?

Then please help me out here — while I step in a big pile of coronavirus.

You know that silly protest that’s getting responsible, pandemic-fearing folks all riled up? The “Disobey Idaho” shindig today at the Idaho Capitol to blast Little’s extension of the statewide stay-home order?

Y’all need to stop complaining about it.

That is, unless you’re also gnashing your teeth about public rallies to celebrate our brave medical staffs.

Personally, I think the Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho Second Amendment Alliance and Health Freedom Idaho are selfish knuckleheads. Who in their right mind organizes a concert-sized crowd right now? Even if it is “to remind our employees of the state that we will not stay silent while they attempt to destroy the lives of Idahoans and our economy.”

But, technically, how can you criticize these conservative troublemakers, er, patriots if you also nodded approvingly at the “Hear the Love” motorcycle rally held outside St. Luke’s in Nampa on Thursday? It “welcomed all riders” to assemble and rev their engines in support of the brave doctors, nurses and other health workers toiling during this life-changing pandemic.

And what about the car club party at noon Saturday at St. Luke’s in Meridian? It’s a “stay in your car cruise” to show support for our health care workers. In an email forwarded to media by a St. Luke’s public relations manager, the founder of the Bootlegger Idaho Street Outlaws says, “This will be covered by the media and we are praying for a huge turnout.” They’ve asked all hot-rod clubs to participate.

A huge turnout? How is that not blatantly violating Little’s stay-at-home order? The governor was clear: “Gatherings of individuals outside the home are prohibited, with certain exceptions for essential activities or essential travel or to perform work for essential businesses and government agencies or perform essential infrastructure work ... All people in Idaho shall immediately cease hosting or participating in all public and private gatherings and multiperson activities for social, spiritual and recreational purposes, regardless of the number of people involved.”

I get it. The 100 or so motorcyclists on Thursday stayed at least 6 feet apart. Car club drivers can remain in their cars.

And caregivers in the Boise valley definitely deserve our infinite respect, thanks and appreciation.

But are all these vehicles making an “essential” grocery-store run before parading around hospitals? Or are these events also a convenient excuse — arguably, an admirable one — to escape the house and do what we really want to do? To get out and live our lives. To show off our sweet rides.

St. Luke’s caregivers “are overwhelmingly excited and are so thankful that we are thinking of them,” the car club email says.

Maybe some, having seem the horrors of COVID-19, think staying home really means staying home.

I truly don’t know.

What I do know is that one person’s noble cause is another person’s unacceptable gathering. The “Disobey Idaho” folks can attest to that.

As I ponder this, one of my kids interrupts to ask what I’m doing. He wants lunch. “I’m making people mad,” I say, which gets me a thumbs-up. Then I explain my discomfort. The stay-home contradiction between a “Hear the Roar” and a “Disobey Idaho.”

He’s fascinated by the moral dilemma. “Intriguing!” the 10-year-old says, drawing the word out with an ornery grin.

My son has a school buddy who definitely would support the Capitol gathering, he says. I’m guessing the parents do, too.

“I kind of support the motorcycle people,” the Deeds boy adds. “I kind of support it. But I don’t support it.”

Go easy on me, kid. I feel the same way about this column.

This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 1:01 PM.