Why do liberals want masks and restrictions forever?

[Torie]

The unfortunate thing about the Covid pandemic is that there isn't a clear moment where it's over and life is back to normal. The challenge countries face is picking a time based on their own conditions when the balance shifts so that it is no longer worth it or morally right to impose damaging restrictions on people's lives.

This has been clear since before the outset of the pandemic.  Governments do not have a history of forfeiting powers they gain in the name of protecting "public health", "homeland security" or whatever other jargon is driving the current political moment. 

Unfortunately, public health bureaucrats and the academic-medical research complex have every incentive to prolong the pandemic in the name of perpetuating their own relevance.  The media plays along in promoting panic to drive more engagement/views.  Liberals, who are self-reportedly more likely to trust established media and "science", are complicit in this. 

Do you actually believe that that is in fact happening?

[Torie]

The unfortunate thing about the Covid pandemic is that there isn't a clear moment where it's over and life is back to normal. The challenge countries face is picking a time based on their own conditions when the balance shifts so that it is no longer worth it or morally right to impose damaging restrictions on people's lives.

This has been clear since before the outset of the pandemic.  Governments do not have a history of forfeiting powers they gain in the name of protecting "public health", "homeland security" or whatever other jargon is driving the current political moment. 

Unfortunately, public health bureaucrats and the academic-medical research complex have every incentive to prolong the pandemic in the name of perpetuating their own relevance.  The media plays along in promoting panic to drive more engagement/views.  Liberals, who are self-reportedly more likely to trust established media and "science", are complicit in this. 

Do you actually believe that that is in fact happening?

It is not a conspiracy to note that a prolonged, constant state of COVID-19 fanactism stands to personally, professionally, politically and monetarily benefit many individuals who have made their careers as public health bureaucrats, research physicians, and/or medical journalists.  It is easily observable how people, from Tony Fauci to Andy Slavitt, have relished in the celebrity and new influence the pandemic has brought them.  They will not easily give it up.

Of course, this kind of rent-seeking behavior is not something that is unique to the COVID crisis or this particular subset of the technocrat class.  But it's much more dumbfounding to see people oblivious to this reality than it is to hear even the most anti-vax conspiracy theories or whatever.

Yeah, but my question beyond the theoretical possibility of "corrupt" bureaucratic self aggrandizement and power grabbing, is whether or not YOU actually believe that is happening here.

I ask because I actually believe what these people are telling me, and I want them to tell others, because it might actually either save my live (or has saved my life), and allowed me to some extent to actually venture out from my lair. I also believe what my doctor is telling me, and we are personal friends who really care about each other, and he is a man in whom I have great confidence.

[Torie]

I want to wear a mask forever, because I really enjoy having trouble breathing. Other liberals love them because they think they are a cool fashion accessory. I hope that helps.

[Torie]

The above post really gets under my skin. I will leave it at that.

[Torie]

Just reading this last page, I notice discussion of being mask-less outside.  I go mask-less outside, walking around. That is very low risk behavior. It is what you do inside* that matters.
Dan and I have not had anything to eat or drink inside ever at a public establishment since covid arrived.

*well, on Saturday the bars along the river were packed with your people in Hoboken, and the tables outside were placed close to each other with every seat filled, with the kids chatting away and drinking. Yeah, I was kind of jealous, but that would be an exception to if it's outside, just do it. It's the exception that proves the rule.