COVID Update: The increasingly assertive position of requiring vaccinations has clear moral grounds.
The view of DeSantis that vaccination status isn’t anyone’s business has a lot to answer for. 1/
The view of DeSantis that vaccination status isn’t anyone’s business has a lot to answer for. 1/
Earlier today @BilldeBlasio introduced a policy that to enter certain venues like restaurants & gyms, proof of vaccination would be required. 2/
People fall into 3 categories with differing interests.
Group 1- Those who are vaccinated
Group 2- Those who can’t get vaccinated or get fulsome protection from a vaccine if they do
Group 3- Those who choose not to get vaccinated 3/
Group 1- Those who are vaccinated
Group 2- Those who can’t get vaccinated or get fulsome protection from a vaccine if they do
Group 3- Those who choose not to get vaccinated 3/
Choosing between constituents & making some people happy & others not so much is tough for politicians to do.
If they do it for the right reasons, even if not universally popular, it’s called leadership. 4/
If they do it for the right reasons, even if not universally popular, it’s called leadership. 4/
So how does a politician make that choice between interests?
One path is to just go with the most popular position.
But that’s abdication & is a kind of tyranny of the majority where if you’re outnumbered, you’re also surrounded. 5/
One path is to just go with the most popular position.
But that’s abdication & is a kind of tyranny of the majority where if you’re outnumbered, you’re also surrounded. 5/
The other path is to give as much choice for everyone & protect those with the fewest options.
Group 1 made the choice to get vaccinated & protect themselves & others.
Group 2 for their own reasons decided not to.
Group 3 has no options & must live w the results of Gs 1&2. 6/
Group 1 made the choice to get vaccinated & protect themselves & others.
Group 2 for their own reasons decided not to.
Group 3 has no options & must live w the results of Gs 1&2. 6/
De Blasio & others who take action can’t help but respect the rights of those who choose not to get vaccinated. They can’t force them.
But he is simply refusing to put the rights of Group 2 ahead of Group 3– kids under 12 & people w compromised immune systems. 7/
But he is simply refusing to put the rights of Group 2 ahead of Group 3– kids under 12 & people w compromised immune systems. 7/
Yes everyone matters. But choices have consequences.
And deciding not to get vaccinated doesn’t create new rights that extend to infecting those who can’t get vaccinated— either directly or by infecting a parent or grandparent. 8/
And deciding not to get vaccinated doesn’t create new rights that extend to infecting those who can’t get vaccinated— either directly or by infecting a parent or grandparent. 8/
One thing I’ve always been taught is to look for who speaks up for the people who don’t get a voice in the room.
People who choose not to get vaccinated may be louder than kids < 12, but it shouldn’t get them an extra vote. 9/
People who choose not to get vaccinated may be louder than kids < 12, but it shouldn’t get them an extra vote. 9/
Data shows as many as 25 million & possibly more unvaccinated people would only get vaccinated if they were required to either for work or to get into larger values. 10/
What does this say about them?
That they likely have no moral qualm with the vaccine but it isn’t a priority given that many other people are. They’re often younger and motivated by other things. 11/
That they likely have no moral qualm with the vaccine but it isn’t a priority given that many other people are. They’re often younger and motivated by other things. 11/
25 million more vaccinated people would push us close to 80% of the adult public. If you want to send a message to Delta, that’s the way to do it. 12/
Is that nanny state? Is it breaking new ground? Is it an affront to our liberties?
No. Stay unvaccinated. Just stay out of people’s space who are or who can’t be protected. 13/
No. Stay unvaccinated. Just stay out of people’s space who are or who can’t be protected. 13/
Since when was it objectionable for government to act to protect the public?
What is a greater violation of rights to protect the public than to send 18 & 19 year olds to war?
That’s ok? But preventing people from going to Equinox to breathe on others isn’t? 14/
What is a greater violation of rights to protect the public than to send 18 & 19 year olds to war?
That’s ok? But preventing people from going to Equinox to breathe on others isn’t? 14/
That’s the Ron DeSantis school— let me pick & choose what’s the nanny state & what isn’t.
And it’s simple. When he does it— telling school districts they can’t have local control— he’s not the nanny. When the feds protect others’ rights, they are. 15/
And it’s simple. When he does it— telling school districts they can’t have local control— he’s not the nanny. When the feds protect others’ rights, they are. 15/
You would call Ron DeSantis the overall moral relativist. If he was moral or if he was making decisions relative to anything.
He’s not. He’s just a put your finger to the wind populist. 16/
He’s not. He’s just a put your finger to the wind populist. 16/
DeSantis lives for the roar of hate filled bile he invokes while dressing up as a leader & someone of principle.
He is neither. 17/
He is neither. 17/
He cares little for the thousands of people in Florida hospitals with COVID. That’s “media hysteria.” 18/
He attacks Anthony Fauci, a symbol of science, forthrightness.
But the DeSantises of the world secretly need the Fauci’s of the world. It’s clever to be anti-science so long as you can be assured there are scientists to make the next vaccine. 19/
But the DeSantises of the world secretly need the Fauci’s of the world. It’s clever to be anti-science so long as you can be assured there are scientists to make the next vaccine. 19/
DeSantis and his crowd are the ultimate free riders.
Why vaccinate when others have?
Why appreciate science when it’s already there?
Why fund basic research or Medicaid when others can?
Whiny nihilism is the a world where courage & action is unnecessary. It’s Ron’s world. /end
Why vaccinate when others have?
Why appreciate science when it’s already there?
Why fund basic research or Medicaid when others can?
Whiny nihilism is the a world where courage & action is unnecessary. It’s Ron’s world. /end
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