The rhetoric of freedom is our most dangerous obstacle as we try to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Policy definitely matters, and it’s totally right for any of us to track issues like idiot governors not issuing a Stay at Home order, even given everything we know today.
But IMHO the single thing that will determine how quickly we control the spread of Covid-19 in the United States is whether we all, as individual decision makers nation-wide, can take action to protect ourselves and our respective communities.
Yes, our fate rests on the behavior of a population that has made Jackass into a hit franchise.
What’s notable about all the fun in Jackass is that presumably the participants are only endangering themselves. As such, it represents the pinnacle of rugged American individualism and freedom. And shopping cart riding for a touch of class.
A public health emergency of this magnitude is the ultimate collision between those ideas of freedom and the need to protect everyone.
Here in western WA state, it looks like we may get past the worst of Covid-19 starting in about a week. Our situation is so improved compared to earlier projections that we are returning 400 ventilators to the Strategic National Reserve. www.governor.wa.gov/...
I think this success is not just due to prompt action by Governor Inslee, but also due to an overall culture of acceptance of the restrictions. While I have my complaints about jackass bicyclists blasting past me and my dog at far closer than the minimum 6 feet on shared trails, the overall feeling around town (when we even go there) and online is that everyone is figuring out how to get by. When someone suggests going for a drive on a Facebook group, it leads to a spirited discussion.
My dog Finn loves to go for a huge hike in the mountains, but for now it’s just walking on quiet streets near the house. Almost everyone I know is taking the same approach to their outings.
So it’s pretty shocking to see things from farther afield. A friend (yes someone I know personally) said this:
Wow. What draconian police state have we entered into? The latest example from New Jersey:
"Lakewood Police and Ocean County prosecutors said Eliezer Silber, 37, and Miriam Silber, 34, held a gathering of 40 to 50 people in the yard and street in front of their home Sunday. Police dispersed the crowd and charged the Silbers with five counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one count for each of their five kids who were in the home."
www.nbcnewyork.com/…
Another posted this image from the fever swamp:
Like the Governor of Georgia, looks like this guy hasn’t heard of asymptomatic transmission.
Here we see the “Freedom” Factor in action. Almost unbelievably, it’s still running strong in certain ideological corners of the internet and our population.
The rhetoric of “Freedom”, more than any other factor — I think more than policy at this point — is going to get tens of thousands of people (or more) killed.
What to do?
Historically, I have done my best to steer clear of invading the personal online territory of personal friends with whom I disagree. In person I’m even more reticent. Point out a factual inaccuracy from time to time? Ok, guilty. But for the most part, I let it be, to maintain some semblance of harmony with people whose friendship I still value.
It’s also pragmatic. Motivating the sympathetic is far more effective than convincing the opposition when it comes to results like moving votes.
But this may be an exception. In this specific case, if any of us does succeed in convincing even one of our dear relatives or old high school friends to take Covid-19 seriously and STFH, we’re not just moving one vote. We may be saving lives.
I’m still trying to figure out the best approach to engaging. Experimental results have demonstrated that “You’re an idiot” doesn’t work. Something just a tad softer, but without shying away from the heart of the matter.
What works best? Can anyone report success getting their crazy uncle to stay home from the poker game?
Yes, we should all STFH. But we also need to counteract the “Freedom” Factor with the STFH multiplier. If any of us can convince even one person to STFH, we’re serving our country.
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James R. Wells is the author of The Great Symmetry, a science fiction adventure celebrating the freedom of ideas. The story is set 300 years in the future, but that future world appears to be arriving about 299 years sooner than expected.