As people grow increasingly frustrated by having to stay in their homes, the latest complaint seems to be that health guidelines currently in place to "flatten the curve" amount to an assault on liberty.
Perhaps you've seen the meme: A three circle Venn diagram that indicates the sharer is taking the pandemic seriously, but is also concerned about "impending economic devastation" and "their freedoms being taken away through expanded government control."
When it comes to the latter concern, we think it is a fair question to ask what freedoms have truly been surrendered.
Sure, right now, people can't take their children to playgrounds, can't gather in large groups and are generally encouraged to stay home as much as possible.
These, however, are temporary measures. Sometimes, it doesn't feel that way – everyone's been stuck at home for a long time, and occasionally it feels like there's no end in sight. But once COVID-19 is under control, businesses will reopen, houses of worship will welcome their congregations and caution tape will come off of playgrounds.
Current health guidelines and social distancing are not an attack on freedom. They are measures that have been implemented to ensure that our health care system is not overwhelmed due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. They are measures meant to save lives.
When a parent keeps a child from playing in the street, it is not an assault on the child's freedom, it is mom or dad doing their best to keep their child safe.
When the government mandates seatbelts, or limits where someone can smoke, it is not curtailing freedom, it is implementing a safety measure meant to protect you and the people around you.
When governments implemented blackouts and rations during the Second World War, or installed heightened security at airports after 9/11, it was meant to protect the population.
We are all dealing with a new and deadly illness that our population was not prepared for. Eventually, things will resume some type of normalcy. Until then, we all must live with a degree of inconvinence for each others benefit.
