I think part of what’s happened is people have grown skeptical about the risk of outdoor transmission but if that’s their view they should say it. What’s shut down isn’t just haircuts — tens of millions are out of work for virus mitigation — so “this is important” doesn’t cut it.
Also the “I understand the virus risks and am taking them with knowledge” takes are largely coming from people who spent the last three months pointing out that the risks don’t stop with you but can be transferred across your community, including to more vulnerable people.
For the record, I am also skeptical about outdoor transmission. But I’m just that — skeptical, not so confident about the lack of risk that I’d say big, crowded protests are okay right now.
For three months we have all given up many of things political rights exist to protect — social relations, enterprise, religious worship. To say, well, refraining from those kinds of things takes a low bar compared to political protest, is wrong. Those things are society.
