Clarity is paramount in the message of the nation or
its leaders. Look at the messages Denmark issued before Easter. “Cancel Easter
Lunch”, “Postpone family visits”, “Don’t go sightseeing around the country.”
There is little ambiguity, flexibility or discretion here. Now compare that
with the instructions of Denmark’s neighbour – Sweden. “Ahead of the breaks and
Easter, it is important to consider whether planned travel in Sweden is
necessary.”
Denmark till date has lost 106 per million, Sweden 570
per million. At least part of this enormous difference is the vague set of instructions
that shifted the government’s responsibility to the individual.
*****
In the USA and UK, confused language has claimed a few
thousand lives. USA has the dubious honour of leading in most measures.
However, in Covid-19 deaths per million, as critical a measure as any, UK (686
deaths per million) outpaces USA (499). UK’s language in March and April in
particular was full of modifiers, like “if possible”, “ideally” or “if
necessary”. On 16 March, Boris Johnson advised
British people against non-essential travel and suggested people should avoid pubs, clubs and theatres. He said
people should work from home if possible.
He urged 70+ citizens to consider
the advice particularly important. Johnson is a master of the language, but his
communication is foggier than the London morning sky. To be fair, UK improved
in later months. Today, Preston – a city
in Lancashire – has started a campaign called “don’t kill your granny”. It is
difficult for the young not to understand that message.
In the USA, for 10 days from 7 August, 250000 people have gathered for the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally. Nobody is wearing a mask. Spectators
crowd the rally first, and the cafes and restaurants next. One lady who was
interviewed said: ‘We are allowed to make our own choices. If we get it
(virus), we chose to be here’.
*****
That indicates a failure to understand words. For me,
democracy and liberty mean freedom of mind, freedom to fearlessly express that
mind. Democracy means a rule of law, and strong institutions that protect your
freedoms if you follow the law.
Democratic freedom doesn’t include freedom to endanger
others. Governments in free democracies have a right, even an obligation, to
impose rules, and governments always do. Traffic rules dictate which side of
the road we can drive on. In the name of human liberty, one is not free to
drive on either side. There is not much difference between wearing seat belts
and wearing masks. Both are inconveniences, but if the government believes they
enhance safety, they must make them mandatory unequivocally. And impose fines
for breaking those regulations. Taxation is another area that is particularly
unpleasant. But we accept our government imposing taxes, deducting them at
source, requiring us to file returns by particular dates. We can face fines as
well as a jail sentence for not following the rules.
What makes the pandemic emergency and the necessary
health precautions any different than road safety or tax collection? It is
understandable if governments are compelled to open businesses to minimize the
economic damage. That doesn’t explain why beaches should be full of
un-distanced people sun-tanning in thousands. That doesn’t explain 250,000
people attending a motorbike rally in a small town.
If the USA has done badly in this pandemic, one key
reason is that nation’s failure to understand the true meaning of democracy and
human liberty.
Ravi
Yes some people are seeing their own liberty and rights as a very misguided point of principle.
ReplyDeleteYour article's last line is always a punch line.
ReplyDeleteDemocracy and Liberty needs to be understood and followed in both letter and spirit.
ReplyDeleteFreedom comes only with responsibility and following the rule of law.
ReplyDelete