Opinion of PR

[Fuzzy Bear Loves Christian Missionaries]

I voted Massive FF.  PR is one of the very few here with the vision to see the need to resist the authoritarian response to COVID-19.

From March 5, so ancient history now - but still relevant. Always relevant.

It’s clear that epidemics of this magnitude require a dedicated response, and at least some of the controls that China put in place have likely saved lives. What’s less clear, though, is which ones actually moved the needle, and which ones — like censoring coronavirus posts on the popular social messaging app WeChat — may have inadvertently caused more cases to go undetected.

While perhaps meant to defuse global panic, the praise from the international body allowed the Chinese government to sidestep mounting criticisms of delays, censorship, and the detention of doctors who publicly voiced concerns about the epidemic. And with the number of cases still growing — roughly 93,000 cases and over 3,100 deaths globally so far — some experts are starting to question the effectiveness of blanket curfews and police-enforced quarantine zones.

But it’s not just China’s extreme responses to the COVID-19 epidemic that are under scrutiny. Much closer to home, experts are recognizing that one of the most dangerous symptoms of any epidemic — be it real or fabricated — is fear. Ricky Bluthenthal, associate dean of social justice at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, works just a few miles east of LA’s Skid Row, though he is often found in the neighborhood meeting with frontline workers and residents who are homeless. From his vantage point, the single biggest impact of the flea-borne typhus outbreak has been a ratcheting up of fear of people who are homeless. That, in turn, has provided the city government with broad impunity to achieve long-standing security and beautification goals.

Bluthenthal sees a direct link between epidemic fear and widespread public acceptance of policies that would otherwise be recognized as nakedly authoritarian. “It’s kind of a disaster. We just keep digging the ditch deeper by making people more vulnerable and disrupting their lives,” he said.

What’s clear, though, is that far from the exception, China’s muscular response is a prime example of how governments tend toward authoritarianism in the face of an epidemic. As the COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread, our ability to recognize the line between effective public health and all-out repression will continue to be tested. With COVID-19 now spreading to every continent except Antarctica, we can start to compare different governmental responses to the virus and tease out which components — even those as basic but effective as calls for people to consistently wash their hands — can help stem the epidemic, and which — like threats of severe punishment — might make things worse.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/danwerb/esist-the-authoritarian-response-to-coronavirus

[Battista Minola 1616]

Progressive Realist is rather insightful and wise but also quite funny, all great features to have. Dare I say a good friend too - incidentally this thread made me realize he is probably my favourite poster who is not in my buddy list (yet). Massive FF.

[All Along The Watchtower]

Not as smart or clever as he thinks he is, but I think he has good intentions. Voted FF but not Massive FF.

[All Along The Watchtower]

Also, I would credit the early observations of Averroes and TheDeadFlagBlues in particular for inspiring me to make that thread, along with posters like Al, Gully Foyle, bore, Hashemite, and Oakvale. They took the COVID-19 pandemic seriously early, before most people did, and the fact that they aren’t all American probably contributed to not having a narrow partisan/blinkered perspective on the pandemic and the chaotic and uneven government responses to it. I also credit them with inspiring me to be more skeptical of Public Health Experts (TM) and being more properly cynical toward government responses to the pandemic.

But thanks anyway, Fuzzy. Appreciate it.

[Chips]

FF.

[Fuzzy Bear Loves Christian Missionaries]

Also, I would credit the early observations of Averroes and TheDeadFlagBlues in particular for inspiring me to make that thread, along with posters like Al, Gully Foyle, bore, Hashemite, and Oakvale. They took the COVID-19 pandemic seriously early, before most people did, and the fact that they aren’t all American probably contributed to not having a narrow partisan/blinkered perspective on the pandemic and the chaotic and uneven government responses to it. I also credit them with inspiring me to be more skeptical of Public Health Experts (TM) and being more properly cynical toward government responses to the pandemic.

But thanks anyway, Fuzzy. Appreciate it.

Anytime!

The COVID-19 issue is one where there is a need for Trans-Partisan discussion, as it affects everyone, and regardless of political ideology or leaning.  If those like me (right of center) had more discussions with folks like PR (a Bernie "The Savage" supporter, if I recall correctly), then we might be able to stop the legitimately insane authoritarianism surrounding the issue that could easily be used against other groups or for other purposes that people OK with COVID-19 authoritarianism would not be OK with if it was based on another issue that affected them personally.

[Morning in Atlas]

You're making opinion threads of a massive FF.

I'm talking to a massive FF on Messenger.

We are not the same.

[Хahar 🤔]

Stop making "opinion of" threads with more than two options.

[All Along The Watchtower]

You're making opinion threads of a massive FF.

I'm talking to a massive FF on Messenger.

We are not the same.

sawx