tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post5005710063970412326..comments2024-03-26T10:03:51.827+13:00Comments on Karl du Fresne: A perfect antidote to the coronavirus scareKarl du Fresnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054853925940134404noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-22570823384003566232020-04-12T18:39:42.747+12:002020-04-12T18:39:42.747+12:00I apologise to Mr Espersen for my previous mis-spe...I apologise to Mr Espersen for my previous mis-spelling of his name.<br /><br />Having done so, and apropos his previously highlighted observation that this in not even a “dangerous” pandemic, I respectfully draw attention to an interview piece published in The Times today:<br /><br />https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/david-nott-interview-fighting-the-coronavirus-is-worse-than-operating-in-syria-s2g9ptkq2Ruaridhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08199119759439997274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-79707905923983835132020-04-10T09:55:34.685+12:002020-04-10T09:55:34.685+12:00Your correspondent Mr Jesperson says that this is ...Your correspondent Mr Jesperson says that this is a “not even dangerous pandemic” and then contrarily goes on to acknowledge that it involves “a very nasty illness”. As to fatalities, he says we should not be scared by big numbers and states the all too obvious that we only die once. I stand open to correction, but to me he thus and elsewhere in what he writes sees it as OK for us to permit those who are unwitting carriers to go amongst other despite the risk of infecting them, possibly fatally. That seems to lead to the conclusion that one’s rights of freedom should include that of putting others in harm’s way despite the fact that containment could avoid that risk or reality. If I am right then I must accept that he and I seek to inhabit quite different worlds.Ruaridhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08199119759439997274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-16979777035253066972020-04-05T08:26:27.659+12:002020-04-05T08:26:27.659+12:00I agree, Karl - but OOPS, under our wise Governmen...I agree, Karl - but OOPS, under our wise Government's emergency regulations lovely trips like yours and your wife's are illegal. Alone among all democracies Sweden refuses to join this global craze. Only Sweden (by the way, a country with even more social welfare principles than New Zealand) accepts that epidemics cannot be thwarted or eradicated by us puny, powerless little creatures. Pandemics have been with humankind since time immemorial We are assured that we are in an unprecedented crisis - but manifestly we are not.<br /><br />Never before in human history has such cynical, oppressive legislation been enacted anywhere. A decree is issued to 4.5 million people immediately to cease all their businesses, work, their comings and goings, their social and family life for four, quite possibly more, weeks - and do what they are told to do. If you have a dying child or friend you are not allowed to visit - you are not to decide what is essential and what is not.<br /><br />This is intolerable for free people. We must reject it. But, of course, I would accept any wise advice from Government - and would without a doubt follow it whenever possible.<br /><br />So what should we do? We should react to this very ordinary, not even dangerous pandemic in the time-honoured way by humbly and courageously accepting it - and try to help the many victims in the best and most charitable way. We should all return to our jobs if we are lucky enough to have one - and work diligently, saving our money so that society can afford to pay adequate compensation to the many unfortunate individuals who are losing their livelihood (but NOT try to support businesses to survive - let them go bankrupt). And while we have the time we should immediately begin to prepare ourselves for the flood of ill people that, probably within 3 or 4 weeks, will overwhelm our existing health services. This is a very nasty illness and many victims will need full hospital care for a while.<br /><br />We must not be hypnotised or scared by big numbers of fatalities. Just bear in mind that we only die one death each - and that none of can escape that.Andy Espersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03760941469016543317noreply@blogger.com