When the lockdown started, it was a 15 day plan to "flatten the curve". This was important because this virus is so contagious that it spreads very quickly. The objective was to make sure that so many people didn't get sick all at the same time that hospitals would become overwhelmed.
As time went on, two things happened:
- The data showed more and more clearly that the virus was not nearly as serious as feared
- The lockdown measures were extended and are still becoming increasingly severe
It was the case from day 1 that many of the measures were unconstitutional. However people mostly didn't notice, or didn't protest, because the situation seemed so dire. But the situation now seems ridiculous.
It's time to remove all mandatory restrictions everywhere, immediately. PLEASE note the use of "mandatory" in that sentence. Recommendations, guidelines, suggestions, even requests should remain. A great many (in fact probably most) people will continue to social distance, avoid crowds, wear masks, etc. But using law enforcement to require those things is tyrannical (and naive). Anyone and everyone is free to stay home for as long as they like. We need to be allowed to choose between a now very small risk of disease, and looming, inevitable personal financial disaster.
It was never the plan - because it was never a possibility - that we would reduce the total number of people who eventually get it. If you believe "the science" (whatever that means), it simply isn't stoppable until there is a "herd immunity" level infection rate. That's how SARS, MERS, the swine flu, the bird flu, etc. all came and went.
The only value of "cowering in place", as I like to call it, is to increase the odds that there is a vaccine before you get it, or a cure by the time you do. And that's why it's not unreasonable for people to choose - let me rephrase that: CHOOSE - to maintain social distancing, mask wearing, etc. and many will.
But mandating it is, I believe, unconstitutional, immoral, futile and frankly, just political.