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I see this argument more often and I don't fully understand it. No elected official (in a Western democratic society) wants lockdowns. The electorate does not w

I see this argument more often and I don't fully understand it. No elected official (in a Western democratic society) wants lockdowns. The electorate does not want lockdowns. I do not want lockdowns. Nobody I've spoken to has said, let's keep lockdowns. Lockdowns are bad for exactly the reasons you've described. No elected official I know has said, well, the economy, children's mental health, education, joblessness - these are just minor issues, let's do lockdowns. Not at the county, district, state or national level. We are currently in a loose-loose situation - either way people will suffer, and different (Western democratic) societies are sharing this suffering differently. E.g. in the US, the consensus has been to trade more loss of life for personal freedom than in European countries. I do not want you to suffer. In fact, if you are in a state of distress through no fault of your own, I do want my taxpayer money to go directly into your pockets.

CWuestefeld 6y ago
No elected official I know has said, well, the economy, children's mental health, education, joblessness - these are just minor issues, let's do lockdowns. This is precisely the problem. Our leaders refuse to acknowledge that their myopic quest for safety from covid at all costs has serious repercussions. They bluster on citing data from the CDC and all, but without more than a wink at the collateral damage - all the time buoyed by sycophantic supporters chanting, "follow the science!". It's as if biology is the only science, and there's no need to consult economists.
- Pyramus 6y ago
  I do not live in the US, so YMMV, but I can only re-iterate that this has absolutely not been my experience. Have you actually spoken to somebody 'in power'? Go to the next council meeting, speak to your local mayor, call a local representative. We have been doing this for over a year now and in my experience they know very well what the toll of lockdowns is.
- lazyasciiart 6y ago
  I think you've completely misread that comment. When it argues that none of them say 'these are just minor issues', you think it means that politicians haven't even mentioned them. I am pretty sure it is supposed to mean that politicians have been looking at them seriously and not being dismissive.

CWuestefeld 6y ago

No elected official I know has said, well, the economy, children's mental health, education, joblessness - these are just minor issues, let's do lockdowns. This is precisely the problem. Our leaders refuse to acknowledge that their myopic quest for safety from covid at all costs has serious repercussions. They bluster on citing data from the CDC and all, but without more than a wink at the collateral damage - all the time buoyed by sycophantic supporters chanting, "follow the science!". It's as if biology is the only science, and there's no need to consult economists.

Pyramus 6y ago
I do not live in the US, so YMMV, but I can only re-iterate that this has absolutely not been my experience. Have you actually spoken to somebody 'in power'? Go to the next council meeting, speak to your local mayor, call a local representative. We have been doing this for over a year now and in my experience they know very well what the toll of lockdowns is.
lazyasciiart 6y ago
I think you've completely misread that comment. When it argues that none of them say 'these are just minor issues', you think it means that politicians haven't even mentioned them. I am pretty sure it is supposed to mean that politicians have been looking at them seriously and not being dismissive.