Over the past eighteen-plus months there has been a nearly global thunderstorm of cries against the so-called violation of individual rights as governments have imposed lockdowns and other restrictive measures in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19.
People have objected to being required to wear masks when near others, refused to get vaccinated against this deadly virus, and even resorted to violence in some cases to protect their ‘freedom’ to decide what to do with their own bodies. Some of these same people, by the way, are part of the crowd that support restricting the right of women to decide what to do with their own bodies, but that’s an issue for another time.
What I’d like to explore here is the relationship between individual freedom and collective responsibility. As members of society, do we have a responsibility to avoid doing things that cause harm to our neighbors? Established precedence would seem to argue that we do.
For example, in most countries, children are required to be vaccinated against some communicable diseases before being allowed to enroll in public schools. There are a few diehards who object to this, of course, but most people see the sense behind this requirement and comply.
The diehards find alternative ways to educate their children—which is their right. What they do not have the right to do, however, is endanger the health of other children in a school, and by extension the entire community. This is the old adage that you do not have the right to shout ‘fire’ in a crowded theater.
Having established that inhalation of second-hand-tobacco smoke is a health hazard, smoking is prohibited in most public buildings and on public transportation in the United States. Smokers, who have a right to pollute their own lungs do not ‘light up’ in offices or on planes. They might not like it, but they comply.
A common English saying, ‘a man’s home is his castle,’ is soundly ignored in the United States by most homeowners’ associations who dictate such things as what color your garage door can be. Their argument is that these restrictions are in place to preserve and protect the value of all property in the community. When you buy a property in such a neighborhood, you agree to abide by the restrictions, and there are legal and financial penalties if you violate them.
People who squeal about freedom and demand their rights without accepting any responsibility for their actions and the impact on others are like the spoiled child who demands the ‘right’ to play with and destroy all the toys in the toy box with no concern for the fact that other children won’t be able to play with them. That kind of freedom is really just selfish license.
Consider this: what if during your next trip to the dentist, the hygienist about to stick her hands in your mouth to clean your teeth decided that it was her ‘right’ not to wear surgical gloves and a mask? Would you be happy that the free exercise of her ‘right’ exposed you to possible infection? What if the next doctor who examines you did the same, and he had just come from examining a patient with an infectious disease?
I’ll bet you would squeal to high heaven and demand that they take appropriate safety measures, and to hell with their ‘rights.’ You don’t want some selfish idiot exposing you to possible illness.
Now, let’s talk about your rights.
Do you think that you have a right not to wear a mask, social distance, or get vaccinated in the midst of a deadly pandemic that has already killed millions worldwide, and is likely to kill hundreds of thousands more before it abates? Why do you think you have a ‘right’ not to take precautions, but a store owner does not have the right to deny you service if you refuse to take precautions?
I’ll grant you this; if you agree to avoid contact with other people for the next six or more months, to isolate yourself in your house—hopefully alone—so you can’t catch the disease or if you already have it can’t pass it to anyone else—I will support your ‘right.’ If, on the other hand, you insist on shopping, dining out, and mingling with people with your face uncovered, without regard to their welfare, you have, in my opinion, forfeited your rights.
Your right does not give you license to kill. – NWI
