Opinion: Time to let people take own risks

I would expect, given the record of failure, this coronavirus experience would cause people to reconsider their belief in the credibility of government. From past experience, I know hope — or something darker — springs eternal. Most people are desperate to believe government is capable and credible in spite of 5,000-plus years of evidence to the contrary.

As face masks become mandatory in more places, don’t forget those same government experts were ridiculing people who were wearing masks early; insisting masks didn’t work — and telling people to stop buying or wearing them — just weeks ago.

They have also been encouraging businesses to limit their hours of service, which forces more people into a business during fewer available hours, and they’re closing campgrounds and other places where people could physically distance in the healthy outdoors. Both policies are the opposite of helpful.

People choose to not remember the deadly errors, but view them as government taking decisive action to “flatten the curve.”

I understand the call to “flatten the curve” — especially in the early days of the pandemic when everyone was just guessing what might happen. We now know that’s not going to work. It’s time to let people make their own choices and take their own risks.

This will solve itself if people let it; faster if government stops dragging it out.

There’s not going to be a vaccine — not a real one, anyway. This virus is going to have to go through its natural cycle. If you’re going to catch the virus, it’s going to happen sooner or later. Since 80 percent of cases don’t cause symptoms, you may never know. You may have already had it.

Let the virus spread and naturally lose strength over time, as these types of viruses always do.

No, that’s not “safe.” Nothing is. Americans are giving up their liberty for promises of safety. Promises that were lies from the start. “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin wrote those timeless words on Nov. 11, 1755.

Soon you may be forced to decide which is more dangerous — the virus, the government, or economic disaster — and act accordingly.

Every non-governmental job is essential! It’s time to do the adult thing and get back to normal life. Lead the way and force government policy to play catch-up, as it usually does. Recovery is, and has always been, up to you. Let’s get to it!

Farwell’s Kent McManigal champions liberty. Contact him at:

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