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"I have been trying to point out that quite prominent figures in science and medicine do not agree with the policy of several major governments—that stifling pe

"I have been trying to point out that quite prominent figures in science and medicine do not agree with the policy of several major governments—that stifling personal liberty and crashing their economies will protect us from the Covid-19 virus. And almost nobody has seriously disagreed with me." Ok, who are these people? And if their point of view is so strong why aren't they front-page news? One of the cornerstones of freedom is that individual freedom stops once it impedes on someone else's. We live in a shared society that has limits on everyone's freedom and keeps us from doing anything we want. We have the responsibility for not doing things that will hurt others. In a pandemic, it just so happens that what we do impacts other members of society. It's true, freedom is important but freedom comes with responsibilities to others too. And yes, the freedoms are still there, we just have to understand that freedom does not mean doing anything we want all the time.

qubex 6y ago
I herald from Italy, basically Ground Zero of the Western impact with the COVID-19 pandemic, so maybe my view is somewhat biased (though I saw it from afar, as I am currently in nearby Malta). I honestly think it’s way too early to fret about lost freedom. There are very valid reasons why certain behaviours must at the present time be enforced or curtailed. The loss of freedom will only become visible if, once the emergency subsides, the prior ways are prevented from being reinstated. Certainly, some concern is... understandable, at this moment in time, but it’s far from a done deal. I think the right way of framing it is in terms of what (for example) the British endured during World War II: blackouts meant you were not allowed to illuminate anything outdoors during night-time, so as to avoid giving bombers any aid to navigation, and rationing meant that simply having money to spend didn’t necessarily suffice to buy what you wanted — both notions that would make latter-day people bristle. And yet that phase came and went, because it was mandated by circumstances, and ultimately the governments of the day had no nefarious reason to deprive their citizens (subjects, actually, in the cause of Britain, but I digress) from the freedoms that they had enjoyed previously once the reason for suspending those freedoms had passed. Not to mention freedom of the press... So, yes, I can see why people are worked-up about this. But I think the “jury is still out”on these issues. After all, we’re in a totally extraordinary circumstance.
Gibbon1 6y ago
I think if one were really practically and honestly worried about freedom one would be a lot more careful about who you let rule over you.

qubex 6y ago

I herald from Italy, basically Ground Zero of the Western impact with the COVID-19 pandemic, so maybe my view is somewhat biased (though I saw it from afar, as I am currently in nearby Malta). I honestly think it’s way too early to fret about lost freedom. There are very valid reasons why certain behaviours must at the present time be enforced or curtailed. The loss of freedom will only become visible if, once the emergency subsides, the prior ways are prevented from being reinstated. Certainly, some concern is... understandable, at this moment in time, but it’s far from a done deal. I think the right way of framing it is in terms of what (for example) the British endured during World War II: blackouts meant you were not allowed to illuminate anything outdoors during night-time, so as to avoid giving bombers any aid to navigation, and rationing meant that simply having money to spend didn’t necessarily suffice to buy what you wanted — both notions that would make latter-day people bristle. And yet that phase came and went, because it was mandated by circumstances, and ultimately the governments of the day had no nefarious reason to deprive their citizens (subjects, actually, in the cause of Britain, but I digress) from the freedoms that they had enjoyed previously once the reason for suspending those freedoms had passed. Not to mention freedom of the press... So, yes, I can see why people are worked-up about this. But I think the “jury is still out”on these issues. After all, we’re in a totally extraordinary circumstance.

Gibbon1 6y ago

I think if one were really practically and honestly worried about freedom one would be a lot more careful about who you let rule over you.