The "stay at home" restrictions are under a widespread debate currently. The arguments against are them being unconstitutional and an overreach of government against individuals. The arguments for are about saving lives and flattening the curve. As this debate reaches fever pitch around the country I had a thought and a different take on things.
First, to state my position, I am against the restrictions remaining. I think all restrictions should be lifted and people should make their own decisions as to where they should and should not go. I am not saying we should abandon common sense measures like social distancing and all that entails, just the "keep businesses closed" part of all this. I am firmly convinced that the "cure" is much more dangerous (and deadly over the long-term) than the disease. So, you may judge what follows from that perspective if you like.
The destruction of our economy and employment is a ridiculous "head in the sand" response to a disease that has been blown all out of proportion. We have to realize that every single prediction that the "experts" have made has been wrong by an order of magnitude. This goes back to the predictions of January and February by the WHO and CDC that "the novel coronavirus is not a threat to the US" (paraphrasing) to "It does not seem the virus can be spread from human to human by contact" and others; all the way to "There will be up to 2 million deaths" and "we need more respirators". Every single prediction - wrong.
But, to my point in doing this post - the "Stay at home" orders. The two sides to this issue have become at some level Democrat and Republican talking points with the Dems for the most part wanting them kept or even stronger and the Republicans wanting them relaxed or eliminated. (the fact that they have become associated with the two parties is in itself sad, but fact - and also not part of this discussion in any detail)
The thought I had today as I heard a presentation on the radio about the "stay at home" orders is this:
The folks that present these requirements as saving lives are really saying: saving lives that matter to them. I would have no issue with the argument IF it was "stay at home and we will all take care of ourselves". But, as you all know, that is not the case. Most people want to stay restricted but they expect the internet and electricity to keep flowing. They expect their take out food to be made and even delivered in lots of cases. They expect the stoplights to function, the streetlights to shine, the phones to work, basically everything is "normal" but they are safe at home. I won't even mention that healthcare workers, first responders, and the like. Every time you hear someone talk about needing the restrictions to stay in place to save lives I want you to hear this - "We need to stay home and be safe but those of you that keep things comfortable, safe, and somewhat normal; you should go to work".
Talking about saving lives and sending a significant portion of the population out to carry on so the rest of us can maintain our comfort and standard of life is disturbing to say the least. It is being condescending and dismissive of others at the highest level. A large portion of these jobs are of the lowest level of pay with the least benefits. So these folks do not have the political power to argue that they need to stay home nor the financial means to do so. It is somewhat like sending children out of the cave to see if the bear is gone yet. "Go, make my food, stock the shelves, make sure the gas station has fuel, keep my phone going, etc. I have to stay at home!"
Now a bit of politics. The Democratic party always positions itself as the party of the "working man" or "common man".(I guess with "man" in them, both of those terms are now non-PC?) So, why is their position to send these folks out to work so those that can afford to can stay home? That is why the Democrats are behind all the "give-away" Covid-19 support bills giving money to everyone. They know that to keep folks at home without an uprising they have to pay them. The destruction of the economy is idiotic. Payouts from a government that is already broke is not a solution. The debt that is being accumulated to cover for the "stay at home" orders is astronomical and will cripple our growth and flexibility for government for years if not decades. We cannot keep writing bad checks.
So, think about the stupidity and arrogance of sending out people to take care of our needs the next time you hear about having to "stay at home" to save lives.
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