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Privilege ≠ Freedom
The argument that shutdowns are a violation of our rights is false at its core. Freedom in a democratic society refers to YOU: your body, your property. But the second that your choices affect others, it& #39;s no longer singularly an issue of freedom.
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The argument that shutdowns are a violation of our rights is false at its core. Freedom in a democratic society refers to YOU: your body, your property. But the second that your choices affect others, it& #39;s no longer singularly an issue of freedom.
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An example of the intersection of privileges, rights, and how they relate to freedom are stoplights.
Driving is a *privilege* based on age, ability, and access.
Choosing the car you drive is *freedom*.
Reasonable protections of your safety while driving are a *right*.
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Driving is a *privilege* based on age, ability, and access.
Choosing the car you drive is *freedom*.
Reasonable protections of your safety while driving are a *right*.
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One of the fundamental core expectations of our government is the reasonable provision of safety. While the government can& #39;t control your personal choices over your body* and/or your property, it can provide a reasonably safe environment wherein to make choices.
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This is the role of stoplights: To provide a reasonable safety measure to protect everyone. In their absence, there is a greater risk of harm. Do they eliminate harm? Of course not. Choice still exists, including the choice to run a red light. Risk is reduced, rights are not.
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This is why even our most valued rights have limits. For example, freedom of speech has limitations. You can& #39;t scream "fire" in a crowded space in the absence of a fire because doing so is dangerous to *others*.
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Government-mandated closures aren& #39;t a violation of your rights; they are in fact a protection of one of your most fundamental rights of safety. You do not have the right to go wherever you want and do whatever you want when there is a threat of safety to others in doing so.**
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Government-mandated closures are invisible stoplights. Like stoplights, they provide a reasonable safety measure to protect everyone. In their absence, there is a greater risk of harm. Do they eliminate harm? Of course not. Your risk is reduced, your rights are not.
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We are living through an unprecedented collective experience. We have the opportunity to be the best version of ourselves. But fighting for the right to get a haircut*** when doing so threatens the health and safety of our community is not the best version of who we can be.
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*Addenda 1 (Ref: Tweet 3/8)
There is an obvious exception to government control over the body, which is abortion. But that is a different discussion for a different time.
There is an obvious exception to government control over the body, which is abortion. But that is a different discussion for a different time.
**Addenda 2 (Ref: Tweet 6/8)
One frequently-used example is that of church. Asking churchgoers not to gather is not a violation of your rights. You can still worship. There are endless examples of religious ceremonies being held online. Even the Pope is on board here.
One frequently-used example is that of church. Asking churchgoers not to gather is not a violation of your rights. You can still worship. There are endless examples of religious ceremonies being held online. Even the Pope is on board here.
***Addenda 3 (Ref: Tweet 8/8)
I know, it& #39;s not just haircuts. I only have so many characters available to make a point.
I know, it& #39;s not just haircuts. I only have so many characters available to make a point.
Addenda 4
I foresee an argument to this thread in the notion of existing viruses, such as the flu. This is a *novel* virus. The built-in social protections of vaccines and herd immunity are absent. Its long incubation time and non-symptomatic shed rate are also unique concerns.
I foresee an argument to this thread in the notion of existing viruses, such as the flu. This is a *novel* virus. The built-in social protections of vaccines and herd immunity are absent. Its long incubation time and non-symptomatic shed rate are also unique concerns.
