For those folk who think bringing context and comparison to an issue such as the Wuhan virus to make rational judgments about its severity and mitigation efforts, I ask you this: Does your personal fear of getting a virus override the health and safety concerns of your neighbor?
I ask it in this manner because the most often used, and shallow, justification from people who are supportive of following the freedom infringing edicts handed down by local officials is, to paraphrase, because your freedom does not extend to doing something that will make me sick.
…your freedom does not extend to doing something that will make me sick.
Certainly there is logic in that line except that the amount of logic in it depends mostly on what the chance is one would get sick by another simply moving freely, what the severity of such illness is likely to be, and what is the overall cost of being ill. We have not, for example, systematically through government edict deprived most people, in most jobs, of their right to work when they have a cold. In fact, even though influenza is very contagious and hits the elderly and infirm so hard each year that 10,000 to 15,000 Texans die from its complications, we have not interfered with basic freedoms of movement and commerce nor have we forced folk to wear masks.
So clearly the idea that another’s freedom ends when their actions affect you is not an absolute, it is proportionate to harm incurred.
…clearly the idea that another’s freedom ends when their actions affect you is not an absolute, it is proportionate to harm incurred.
This week Texas headlines include “Coronavirus crisis leads to surge in Texas food stamp applications” and “230,000 Texas families filed for SNAP food assistance in March, twice as many as same month last year.”
Add to that all the record unemployment filings and I ask:
Those of you who think your personal fear trumps others’ freedom, how are others any less harmed in having no money to buy food for themselves and their children, pay for a place to live, and all the other necessities of life than you are harmed by a statistically miniscule increase in chance of contracting a virus that now appears to be not substantially worse than a particularly harsh flu strain?
I have looked into the numbers and have come to the conclusion that this is far less deadly than
Either bird flu or H1N1 virus they have killed more people than Corona will in the state of Texas
Small businesses are now deemed to be needless and a risk to the people only larger companies and
businesses are allowed to be open. Dont bother trying to get any help from the government
or the SBA all that money is gone and since we are going to be “OPEN ” you dont qualify for the disaster relief program. But you do qualify…maybe for a standard loan if we deem you worthy
Kids in the RURAL AREAS whom your senior year and graduation are not going to happen so what would have been you scholastic high point is now dismissed and you are now free to stay at home because you don’t have a job
Yes this is all worth it