I had the real privilege to share my thoughts w/ @ddiamond for this piece on the public health community endorsing recent protests. He gives voice to his critics below.
To me, he’s one of the few who are earnestly asking what changed when many were saying the opposite weeks ago.
To me, he’s one of the few who are earnestly asking what changed when many were saying the opposite weeks ago.
It should go without saying, but these things matter. The sacrifices people made to abide by quarantine requirements weren’t immaterial.
Pretending that they were, beyond just being cold-hearted, sets a bad precedent for how we weigh suffering when making public policy.
Pretending that they were, beyond just being cold-hearted, sets a bad precedent for how we weigh suffering when making public policy.
And it’s hard for many who resisted the lockdown to hear that this time it’s “worth it.”
Because weeks ago it was all about sacrifice; the message was that nothing was worth it. Now, we’re only focused on the other side of that scale - the benefits of ditching the requirements.
Because weeks ago it was all about sacrifice; the message was that nothing was worth it. Now, we’re only focused on the other side of that scale - the benefits of ditching the requirements.
The problem is that we never weighed out the cost/benefit of quarantine, or what rises above the need to distance.
Instead, conservatives saw their concerns shouted down with a logic that democratic mayors, governors & thought leaders no longer find to be compelling.
Instead, conservatives saw their concerns shouted down with a logic that democratic mayors, governors & thought leaders no longer find to be compelling.
We need to have that conversation. I’m entirely open that protests should make the cut.
But if so, it’s all protests. And there’s plenty of other activities (hospital visits, religious services, funerals) that most people think are just as important.
But if so, it’s all protests. And there’s plenty of other activities (hospital visits, religious services, funerals) that most people think are just as important.
I hope more people follow Dan in asking these questions. I hope more people on both sides are open that they might’ve been wrong.
Because, if not, this whole thing is about to get a lot worse.
Because, if not, this whole thing is about to get a lot worse.
