When You Choose One...

 

Hi.

As we witness what is happening in Afghanistan, the depth of terror these poor people must be feeling is beyond comprehension.  

For those who are refusing to get vaccinated, spit on mask-wearing, and like to scream about their freedoms and rights...

I mean...

Maybe some thought should be put into the difference between rights and privilege. There is a difference, if you can't recognize it, well, that's just sad.

People in Afghanistan are fighting for literal survival from an oppressive regime that celebrates brutality, and sees women as possessions. 

Now, before you jump all over me saying that putting things in place like mask mandates and vaccine passports are the first steps on a slippery slope toward Taliban-type rule, just think about that for a second. 

You are free to not wear a mask. You are free not to get vaccinated. Those are your decisions. Yours. Nobody is forcing them on you. 

And, like any other decision, there are consequences, both good and bad. 

Smoking.

Drinking until you blackout every weekend. 

Driving as fast as your vehicle will go for shits and giggles.

I mean, as a society, we are free to do harmful things to ourselves if we so choose. We do it all the time.

We eat fast food, and ice cream. We hang on to toxic relationships. We work too hard, or not enough. We neglect relationships that deserve nurturing. We buy things we don't really need way too often, and too much. We don't floss enough. The list could go on...

But, all of these, all of them, are privileges, not rights. Rights cover what we need to live, not what we want to make living more fun.

Just as you have the freedom to smoke, those around you have equal freedom to be in an environment that is smoke-free. So... restrictions. 

Just as you have the freedom to drink until you blackout, you are still responsible for your actions while in that state. So... consequences.

Just as you have the freedom to test the limits of your vehicle, you aren't allowed to put others in danger while doing so. So... limits. 

Just as you have the freedom to decide whether or not you get vaccinated, or wear a mask, others, such as business owners, restaurant owners, concert venues, stadiums, cruise lines, airlines, and entertainers all have equal freedom to not let you enter, serve you, or deal with you in any way.

It's not discrimination. It's the same freedom you are enjoying. It seems that you want freedoms you don't want others to have.

In the United States, where they have private insurance for health care, insurance companies are already taking steps not to cover Covid treatments for the unvaccinated. It's fair. The vaccine is free to get. It's readily available. It's been proven worldwide to not only be safe but significantly reduce serious illness and hospitalizations for people with Covid. It's the insurance companies' dime. They won't cover hospital stays for any other illness if there is a vaccine available and you refuse to take it, why would this be any different? 

Just remember, everyone enjoys the same freedoms you do. Period. 

So, stop yelling at people, and trying to force your unmasked, unvaccinated way into places that have mandates in place. Your freedoms don't trump theirs. If you don't like it, don't go. Or get your stuff delivered. Or do curbside pick up. 

Decisions, 100% of the time have consequences. Good and bad. When you choose one, you choose the other. End of story. 

There are limited ways out of this Pandemic. Vaccines and masks are the top two. If you choose neither, then that's on you, but I can't help but worry about the vulnerable around you. What about their freedoms?

Oh, and can you please help me to understand how a horse de-wormer, that does nothing to fight viruses, is safer than an FDA-approved vaccine for humans, designed to prevent serious illness from Covid?

Do the literal horse pills come with a Tide pod chaser? Or maybe bleach? Or just a strong light? 

***********************************************************************

May we finally take a victory lap, together we can make it so.

May we finally get this in the rearview, we are close, not far to go.

May those who intentionally misinform be held accountable for the lives they continue to cost.

May those who believe their lies finally see through the bullshit, before more loved ones are lost.

***********************************************************************