Burn the ships.
A phrase born of the tale of Cortés in the year 1519. It’s a story of determination, bravery, and a little bit of mutiny.
And one that I’d like to reflect on at a time when we need to drastically reshape our covid policies.
🧵1>
A phrase born of the tale of Cortés in the year 1519. It’s a story of determination, bravery, and a little bit of mutiny.
And one that I’d like to reflect on at a time when we need to drastically reshape our covid policies.
🧵1>
First, a little history.
In the year 1519, Cortés set anchor at the coast of Mexico, eager to explore. But plans abruptly changed as he was ordered to turn his ships around.
Defiant, he scuttled his ships to leave his anxious crew with no other option but to follow inland.
2>
In the year 1519, Cortés set anchor at the coast of Mexico, eager to explore. But plans abruptly changed as he was ordered to turn his ships around.
Defiant, he scuttled his ships to leave his anxious crew with no other option but to follow inland.
2>
There was no *actual* burning involved, just destruction. And to be clear, I’m not suggesting anyone go out and burn or destroy ANYTHING. No. It’s a metaphor. Text as imagery, and so forth.
So…how can we apply this metaphor to our shifting landscape of covid policy?
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So…how can we apply this metaphor to our shifting landscape of covid policy?
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Our policy makers have been clinging to endless mandates, restrictions, closed schools, vax passes, and other ineffective measures.
These are the ships…so comfortable and familiar to those in charge. They’ve settled in, and it’s so hard to leave their ships behind.
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These are the ships…so comfortable and familiar to those in charge. They’ve settled in, and it’s so hard to leave their ships behind.
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It’s time to burn the metaphorical ships.
To make sure we never close schools again.
To never exclude people from public spaces again.
To never prevent loved ones from visiting hospitals and nursing homes again.
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To make sure we never close schools again.
To never exclude people from public spaces again.
To never prevent loved ones from visiting hospitals and nursing homes again.
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To never force people to cover their expressions.
To never steal another high school graduation.
To never treat college campuses as high security quarantine facilities.
To never demand children sacrifice treasured years for the sake of protecting anxious adults.
Never again.
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To never steal another high school graduation.
To never treat college campuses as high security quarantine facilities.
To never demand children sacrifice treasured years for the sake of protecting anxious adults.
Never again.
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Unspeakable loss and harm.
It’s true covid has stolen lives and caused immense pain. But enforcing restrictive measures rooted in imprecise mathematical modeling and political loyalism won’t prevent lost lives or bring them back.
No evidence these measures move the needle.
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It’s true covid has stolen lives and caused immense pain. But enforcing restrictive measures rooted in imprecise mathematical modeling and political loyalism won’t prevent lost lives or bring them back.
No evidence these measures move the needle.
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It’s time for Public Health to pivot away from harmful mandates and restrictions driven by paralyzing fear and political aspirations. We have powerful tools of focused protection *currently* available to those at higher risk. No more excuses.
Burn the ships. And don’t look back.
Burn the ships. And don’t look back.
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