At the Bi-Mart in my home town, a 30-something woman in T-shirt, jeans and boots was the only one in the store shopping without a mask. She wheeled her cart about with a glare like a dare at those tempted to say something. Yes, she loaded her purchases in the back of an older pick-up that looked like it had seen a lot of hard work.
At the same time, hospitals in Oregon struggle to save people just like that woman — or her parents, grandparents, in-laws or friends — who insist on their right to not wear a COVID mask or be vaccinated.
Their ignorance about vaccines and masks, and the “victim politics” that their rights are being trampled, are killing innocent people and creating an enormous expense for each and every one of the rest of us.
Where’s the outrage? Many who could beat the drum and save lives are not doing so, or too quietly.
The last vapid press release sent from the CEO of St. Charles, the medical system where I live in Central Oregon, did not mention the role the unvaccinated play in the hospital crisis here. Maybe he didn’t want to be political, but health care professionals under his supervision admit that lives will be lost because his hospitals are near capacity.
Democrats running state government (poorly) are not using their megaphone to assign blame either, probably because Democrats don’t think anyone should be held responsible for any bad behavior except sexual impropriety, racism, or wrong political beliefs.
But, since I’m an Old White Liberal, I like to explore compromise. Perhaps we can protect rights and shield the rest of us (somewhat) from a disaster those refusing a vaccine are creating.
Since I’ve excoriated the mealy-mouthed, I’d like to directly offer my mask-less, unvaccinated friends a couple of options right from their own political philosophy.
First, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID and then catch the disease and need to be hospitalized, you go to the back of the line. This line might keep getting longer too, while you suffer and perhaps die, because anyone who has been vaccinated will get the bed you thought was waiting for you.
You gave up any “right” to that bed when you refused to get vaccinated.
Secondly, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID, then get sick and do find medical care, how to pay is between you and your insurance company. Better check your mail for policy changes. If the insurance company refuses to pay because of good old-fashion free market principles, then you need to pay up.
Unfortunately, this would also apply to payments from Medicare. And like student loans, you won’t be able to bankrupt your way out of the bills.
You gave up any “right” to have the rest of us pay for your medical care when you refused to get vaccinated.
I wish there was a way to include your refusal to wear a mask in the equation. Society should not be protecting you and your family from the choices you make. That’s how you always look at it, right? Perhaps your social media pages can be used as evidence in any dispute. You made your views public, yes?
Stuff your “what-abouts.” Yes, smokers, users, the obese, the sedentary, the homeless — all of us! — may be partly responsible for our medical conditions. I don’t care. Bring that up another day. We’re just talking about COVID, here. In fact, go along with this now and strengthen your argument when you want to deny care to others.
These small changes to Oregon law show respect for individual rights while easing the burden generated by those who refuse to protect themselves and their community. It balances rugged individualism with the responsibilities that go with it.
I don’t ask that the woman in Bi-Mart be legally required to wear a mask, though I wish Bi-Mart would do a better job of protecting me and their own staff from a “spreader.” I don’t ask that everyone be vaccinated, only that those who refuse the shot must accept responsibility for their choices.
Of course, these thoughts have no chance of gaining traction in a land where a stunning lack of common sense is met with an utter lack of courage. There will be no rebalance for the innocent who die because anti-vaxers, who didn’t have to fall sick, are piling up in hospitals.