The problem with preventative measures, is when they work, nothing happens.
Which, by the way, was the intent of those who put them in place. Those who implemented said measures are then left to defend them against those in the population armed with the internet and too much free time.
This letter is a rebuttal to the man who wrote about “herd immunity,” and how his rights and freedoms have been infringed upon and disrupted by the “paid government officials.”
Really, the whole thing reads like a well-crafted conspiracy theorist blog one would usually find by accident in the depths of Reddit, where you’ve been scrolling through thread after thread of nonsense because sleep is eluding you.
The childish whining and flagrant privilege is hidden behind the few quotes from old white dudes. Albeit, some are doctors and one was a president. These few doctors are advocating herd immunity and putting a stop to isolation, which is fine.
Having many sides with lots of data to any issue is only beneficial, since it means that lots of research is being performed. Good. Great.
The problem with jumping right to herd immunity is that it may not work, or only work a little, and once you’ve let the population infect each other there is no turning back.
I think some people are forgetting that the whole point of flattening curves and social distancing was to prevent an overload on our health-care system, which is woefully unprepared for more than a tiny percentage of people to get critically ill at the same time.
Because of that, if many of us got sick all at once, doctors would be forced to decide who gets a bed and who doesn’t. Who deserves a ventilator?
Did everyone forget that one poor grieving lady was the point of infection for 205 people? 205? From one infected person, who didn’t break any known measures or guidelines at the time.
I’m actually furious. I had to lay off 85 per cent of my staff. Good, hardworking people who didn’t deserve this happening to them. I’m losing 70 per cent of revenue a month. I still have to pay rent, the power bill, Worker’s Compensation, and insurance.
So many of my neighbors and colleagues will not come out of this intact.
We did it for you. The demographic that is making the most noise about having to stay home and not being able to go camping or whatever non-essential BS is the same group of people that would be the least likely to survive a virus that is still a mystery and still evolving.
It’s called a novel virus because it’s never been seen before in humans. That means we can’t assume it will behave the same as the corona viruses before it.
Not without gambling your lives.
So, Clayton Rowsell from Mount Pearl, how much death is an acceptable amount to ensure your comfort?
How many people would need to be infected and die for your liberties to feel cost effective? Should we maybe just infect a group of people? Thin the herd? Survival of the fittest and natural selection?
If we’re picking out a group, can I suggest those in their 50s with high-salaried, grand-fathered jobs and houses that they bought 30 years ago for a fraction of the current market price?
Both of those things are very hard for someone my age to get, and would improve my quality of life greatly.
How dare any of you be incensed about the minor inconveniences you’ve faced thus far. The government has had to mortgage my entire generation’s financial future for you, and you will die happily of old age before we’re back in the black.
Stay home. Stop crying. Toughen up, and get over yourself.
M.M. Furlong
St. John’s
