Government Authority

How much authority do we want to give the government to protect us from the consequences of our own actions? That, it seems to me, is the question of the day.

Initially, we all kind of stepped aside, sat down, and let the government decide whatever they thought would best protect us from COVID-19. And they started issuing stay at home orders and closing businesses, large and small. They have essentially shut down the economy.

But as was predictable, and as time went on, people got restless. Protests came first, then open defiance. That is the nature of a representative democracy. It is our way of testing the question of how much authority the government should have.

You have heard the argument that by these actions they are protecting the vulnerable – the elderly, the infirm, those with underlying lung issues and the like. But if the infirm abide by the recommendations, as Charlene and I are doing because of her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, they will be maintaining the correct social distance and will be wearing a mask when they are around other people. And anyone else who is particularly concerned about getting COVID-19 can do the same. If not, the decision will be theirs and any consequences will be on them. Health care workers will take all the extra precautions needed.

The disparate effects of both the virus and the restrictions is a different matter. Black people are more greatly affected by both, but the restrictions don’t change that, unless, perhaps, they make it worse.