Dystopian Summer

The pandemic continues, and “shelter in place” orders remain in effect. Being a confirmed introvert, the Hermit Philosopher has no problem complying—after all, he’s been “social distancing” his whole life—but he feels a tad bit guilty that he doesn’t object to being told to stay home.

Just a little guilty, mind you. Not a lot. By staying home he doesn’t have to deal with idiots who flout the rules that are meant to protect us from each other and from ourselves.

For example, we see news reports of crowded bars and beaches. We hear stories of shoppers freaking out when told they must wear a mask. We witness protest marches decrying “government oppression.” An Ohio woman at one such protest stated in a TV interview in July, “It’s my body, so it’s my choice whether to wear a mask or not.” It would be interesting to know if she and her fellow bare-faced marchers contracted the virus and how many others they infected. Alas, we will never know.

The Vice President and his task force wear masks. Republican senators like Mitch McConnell and Lamar Alexander wear masks. Even President Trump wore a mask (once or twice). Going without one while screaming about your “constitutional rights” or some nonexistent “ADA exemption” is not patriotism, it’s boorish. It makes you a selfish jerk. Don’t mistake inconvenience for tyranny.

The HP understands the financial hardships this situation has caused. He understands the frustration. He knows we must grow the economy again and reopen schools, shops and restaurants as soon as possible. But we must first get the pandemic under control. That’s what public health laws are meant to do: protect the public’s health.

One of the main purposes of government at any level is to provide for the wellbeing of its citizens. Without some kind of standards – law, if you will – society breaks down and life will be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” (Thomas Hobbes, 1651.)

We must do better. We must all accept personal responsibility and think about the bigger picture. Like it or not, we are all in this together. It’s not just about you.