Personal liberties: Lessons of fires, hurricanes apply

I am tired of those decrying face masks, social distancing and restricted gatherings as “attacks” on their personal liberties.

There is no conspiracy to take away our personal liberties by anyone or any group. There is only one attacker – COVID-19. And it’s raging because of irresponsible behavior.

Before this year’s wildfires, people grilled steaks in their backyards; now some people don’t have backyards or front yards or even homes.

Before this year’s six hurricanes made landfall, people flocked to the Atlantic Coast to play in the water; then the wind brought the water to them, leaving mud where their homes once stood.

No one cried out for their personal liberties during those events when rescuers came to move them to safety.

COVID’s difference is its magnitude. For nearly all Americans alive today, what we are experiencing is the first humanitarian crisis that isn’t somewhere else.

This story was originally published November 18, 2020 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Personal liberties: Lessons of fires, hurricanes apply."