The UK's Covid inquiry has been subjected to vicious attacks from right-wing libertarians, who are unwilling to accept that lockdowns may have saved lives. The inquiry, chaired by Heather Hallett, presents a stark picture of the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the country, with 23,000 deaths attributed to Boris Johnson's decision not to lock down the country in time.
But for those on the right, the evidence is always secondary to their ideology. They reject the idea that government intervention can save lives, citing seatbelts and vaccination as examples of "overreach". However, this logic doesn't extend to lockdowns, which they claim are "pointless" and have led to financial ruin.
The most striking example of this anti-science mentality is Boris Johnson himself, who has repeatedly denied saying that he wanted people to die in care homes. Yet, a staggering 45,000 elderly Britons lost their lives due to the lack of adequate care and social distancing measures during the pandemic.
Johnson's faction is now attempting to discredit Hallett's inquiry, disputing the numbers and claiming that lockdowns don't save lives. But this is simply a case of "freedom" being prioritized over human life. The idea that one can opt out of basic health and safety measures is not only morally reprehensible but also ignores the devastating consequences of their ideology.
The problem with right-wing libertarianism is that it rejects any form of government intervention, even when it comes to matters of life and death. This is why they promoted a "gay plague theory" in the 1980s and 1990s, which ultimately led to the spread of HIV/AIDS. They also peddled a disastrous Brexit policy that has caused economic instability and suffering.
The real question at stake here is not whether lockdowns were effective or not, but rather how much the cost was worth it. Bereaved families will tell you that it's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to human life. But for right-wing ideologues, this principle seems to apply only to certain groups, such as the elderly and vulnerable.
The inquiry into Covid-19 is not just about counting lives lost; it's also about understanding the far-reaching consequences of government policy and ideology. It's time to take a serious look at the harm caused by right-wing libertarianism and consider the trade-offs involved in prioritizing "freedom" over human life.
But for those on the right, the evidence is always secondary to their ideology. They reject the idea that government intervention can save lives, citing seatbelts and vaccination as examples of "overreach". However, this logic doesn't extend to lockdowns, which they claim are "pointless" and have led to financial ruin.
The most striking example of this anti-science mentality is Boris Johnson himself, who has repeatedly denied saying that he wanted people to die in care homes. Yet, a staggering 45,000 elderly Britons lost their lives due to the lack of adequate care and social distancing measures during the pandemic.
Johnson's faction is now attempting to discredit Hallett's inquiry, disputing the numbers and claiming that lockdowns don't save lives. But this is simply a case of "freedom" being prioritized over human life. The idea that one can opt out of basic health and safety measures is not only morally reprehensible but also ignores the devastating consequences of their ideology.
The problem with right-wing libertarianism is that it rejects any form of government intervention, even when it comes to matters of life and death. This is why they promoted a "gay plague theory" in the 1980s and 1990s, which ultimately led to the spread of HIV/AIDS. They also peddled a disastrous Brexit policy that has caused economic instability and suffering.
The real question at stake here is not whether lockdowns were effective or not, but rather how much the cost was worth it. Bereaved families will tell you that it's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to human life. But for right-wing ideologues, this principle seems to apply only to certain groups, such as the elderly and vulnerable.
The inquiry into Covid-19 is not just about counting lives lost; it's also about understanding the far-reaching consequences of government policy and ideology. It's time to take a serious look at the harm caused by right-wing libertarianism and consider the trade-offs involved in prioritizing "freedom" over human life.