Relaxation of Restrictions, Part XII *Read OP For Mod Warnings*

I find they are a bit thin on the ground.

On your first paragraph, I guess it is a matter of someone’s perspective on these things. My perspective is that over the last few decades, life expectancy has increased dramatically, due in no small part to the work of public health agencies. I’m not sure what bans you are referring to, but if you are talking about the smoking ban, well this has proved to have had significant health benefits. You can chose to smoke if you wish. But you are no longer permitted to smoke on top of me or my children in a restaurant.

In your second paragraph, did I ever imagine a time when I could have my full freedom back only if I accept a vaccine? There are plenty of examples through history of mandatory vaccination in the face of serious disease. In the 19th century, vaccination for smallpox was made mandatory in England. It was eventually eradicated worldwide in the 20th century. COVID, in its current form, is not as deadly as smallpox was but it is far more deadly than most viruses we know. Without vaccination, we would have to let it run through our population. We would face tens of thousands of excess deaths in a short period of time. In India, excess morality in the last year is between 3 and 4 million.

Your third paragraph again depends on perspective. I’m all for the freedom of the individual and I don’t like the State interfering too much. But when that interference actually benefits everyone, then I welcome it.

Its not comparable with smallpox because it is neither as deadly, nor will it be eradicated. COVID is far too virulent to ever disappear. This is not a fringe opinion either - its well accepted that covid is here to stay. So any vaccination drive should not be with the goal to eradicate covid - its simply not feasible.

With that in mind - what is the motivation? What is the endgame? Vaccinate everyone, and then re-vaccinate them once the virus mutates enough to bypass vaccine immunity - then vaccinate them again and again etc? In that case, why even bother mandatory vaccinating those not at risk such as younger people? Their vaccines could instead be diverted to those that need them - those at risk.

Who says the goal is to eradicate COVID? I agree with you. COVID is here to stay. But when most people have developed immunity, COVID will go the same way as other coronaviruses such as the Russian flu of the 19th century. It will become a strain of the common cold.

So I’m clear, we’re allowed to support the discrimination of a particular group based on their medical decisions, but not point out what this type of fear-based group thinking and othering led to in the past?

A lot of mental gymnastics going on here to justify discrimination and ongoing restrictions. I suppose if you've gone this far being pro restrictions you have to stay on the same mantra.

So you agree then?

Nobody is discriminating, anybody over 18 can register for a vaccine as of yesterday and looking on the vaccine thread it seems most people will be getting it administered a few days later. The only people being "discriminated" against are the anti-vaxers

"You can have your freedom if you do X" does not wash with me.

Only people who can show they are fully vaccinated can avail of it from Monday and newly registered could be a good 5-6 weeks away. What's with the deranged anti-vax obsession in every post?

A social contract is an abstract, shared understanding. Not a QR code used to confirm what injections you’ve taken.

A social contract is basically "be nice, mind your own business, don't **** about, don't mess with people and you'll be just fine"

Not "inject this into your arm and you can rejoin a society that we've just kicked you out of for doing absolutely nothing".

Nope, that's what this sprint between vaccinations and Delta is about. From September we should see better days.