Giving people leeway to assess their own risks makes no sense in this situation, because if people at low risk engage in more contact, then the epidemic spirals and it becomes impossible for people at high risk to avoid the virus
Imagine millions of twentysomethings decide its fine to go out partying again. Some pass on the disease to people who are also themselves low risk but come into regular contact with the elderly or the immunocompromised. Who, if they have care needs, cannot avoid this contact
Meanwhile some will get ill enough to be hospitalised, exposing healthcare workers to a greater risk of infection. Many of whom are at higher risk due to being rather older. Many such healthcare workers have died already.
This libertarian "everyone should make their own decisions" stuff comes with lots of risks in a situation where people cannot reasonably be expected to understand or properly take on board the risks associated with chains of infection.
"There's little risk to me". Sure, but what about all the people you know, and all the people they know, and all the people *they* know. Your decisions bear on all of them, too.
The message that you have to make sacrificies to protect others has been repeated endlessly by the government and health authorities for months. If it is undermined now, then this "freedom" Andrews is celebrating not last long, but we will face further harms down the line.
