Quote:
Originally Posted by kcdogger
The issue for me is that "it is a small sacrifice" can be applied to virtually everything. We could save lives and prevent injuries if we just lowered the speed limit to 30 MPH.
We have already seen that the boundaries of mask wearing are being stretched at both ends. There are people who blatantly disregard wearing masks in public and actions.... and there have been people who have physically assaulted people who were not wearing masks while they were sitting alone outside. What the proper boundaries are is an open question.
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kcdogger, you make a valid point that the 'small sacrifices' approach could be applied to a range of threats that people in our country-- and around the world-- face.
I would say that reducing the speed limit to 30mph would not yield a cost-benefit that makes sense. Reckless drivers would still speed (and maybe drink as well) despite the law... and the rest of us who drive on Interstates at 30 instead of 65mph would probably see only a minor decrease in highway deaths. Plus, we'd all be perpetually and deeply frustrated whenever we took a trip if we had to crawl along at 30 all the time. I think most of how safe we feel while driving comes from how defensive and careful we drive... though admittedly we can't control the risks we face from someone's else's recklessness. And even draconian traffic laws won't make a careless, heedless driver act responsibly.
And, yes, sugar and fatty junk foods surely contribute to obesity. But you and I don't have to consume them in excess, and by controlling what we eat, we can ensure that our bodies stay healthier. If someone eats junk food all the time, they hurt only themselves... but if, during this period of widespread Covid-19 contagion, people refuse to wear masks or social distance responsibly, they endanger not only themselves, but all other they come into contact with... including their family and friends. That's not very considerate.
So... to your point about determining proper boundaries. I don't think it's all that complicated:
1. Wear a mask when you go to a public venue like a supermarket, big box store, post office, library, other retail store, etc.
2. Wear a mask when you're outside and near other people: busy sidewalks or multi-use paths, parks, city or town streets, campgrounds.
3. Don't threaten violence to anyone. If someone is being reckless, ask them nicely to please put on a mask. Keep it civil.
Basically, that's it. We cannot legislate people being kind and considerate. Here in Maine, at least in the southern part of the state near the coast, people almost universally wear masks outdoors if they are at all near others. In the northern and western parts of the state (more rural), it's the exact opposite. Not much you can do about that.
There was a wedding in northern Maine in early August that made national news. 70 people attended (the maximum gathering at that time was 50). No one wore masks. Someone had Covid. So far more than 170 have contracted the virus from that event and 7 people have died. Here's a link to the story:
https://www.startribune.com/1-weddin...say/572430912/
Would you say wearing a mask to that event was an unacceptable violation of your liberty or a sensible health precaution?
Thanks for reading this with an open mind!
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