In his opening statement at the hearing, Sen. Vargas called attention to how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting minority populations, especially Latinos. Vargas, who is the only Latino serving in Nebraska’s unicameral legislature and represents a robust Latino community in his district in southeast Omaha, told his colleagues that Latinos account for just 10 percent of the state’s population but make up 60 percent of the total cases and nearly 25 percent of the 347 reported deaths.

Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, whose father died in New York City after a long battle with the virus, said he will ask his colleagues to suspend the Legislature's rules, allow introduction of a bill at this late date and schedule a public hearing on the issue before they go home Aug. 13.

Vargas has consoled. He has received consolation. But he would rather help people avoid the sickness, death and grief that the pandemic has brought to so many families. Even though it hurts to revisit his own grief, he uses his family’s experience to persuade people to take the virus seriously and take precautionary measures.

As long as small businesses thrive, then we thrive, as a community, together.

We must reject violence and destruction in our call for justice. We can be bold and demand accountability and systemic and institutional change, but must do that lawfully, by treating others with peace and respect, without harming others, and by leading with integrity, love and compassion.