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Just thinking through some stuff so bear with me. Maybe I’m wrong but none of the spicy 'let the virus spread to save the economy' hot takes are written by poor, sick, old or disabled people. 1
They're always written by some legend in a suit who did some maths and worked out that your nan is probs not worth saving as much as - say - a young, healthy person who will contribute more to the economy. 2
This is true if you think a human being’s value should be measured by their economic contributions. 3
If that’s the case then just cut the shit and say you think some lives are worth more than others because of the money/capital they make/earn/produce. Actually, say it! 4
Say you think the old, the sick, the poor and the disabled ie. those who will disproportionately suffer - who will disproportionately die - from’ letting the virus spread’ are not worth as much as someone who isn’t any of those things. 5
And hey, maybe you’re right. Maybe a 68-year-old has indeed “had a good run” and there is no contest as to whether you put him or a 30-year-old on a ventilator (should it come to that) 6
If you believe that, I’m not really sure what to tell you. The diplomatic thing to say would be to suggest your view of humanity might be a tad distorted. A tad reductionist. That you have flattened what it means to be human. 7
The slightly less diplomatic thing would be to tell you to take your money, your privilege, your voice, your health, your agency, your assets, your savings, your contacts, your thoughts and opinions and shove them up your ass. 8
But I’m diplomatic, see. So I won’t say that. 9
Just one thing. You know who is propping up this country RN? It’s not you! It’s our nurses, doctors, supermarket workers, delivery drivers, carers, teachers, cleaners. They are our most valuable but our lowest paid. 10
They are also among our most vulnerable because of the work they do. Are you willing to sacrifice them with a ’let the virus spread’ approach? Because they’ll cop it, not you! They’re on the front lines. Not you! 11
Hot takers talk about wanting to save society (READ the economy) but tell me, how much is a society that has sacrificed its most vulnerable worth saving? What kind of society is that? And who would we be if we created it? 12
Number crunching is easy. Looking your fellow human being in the eye and telling them their life ain't worth all that much - I suspect - would be harder. Anyway, just some thoughts. 13/13
