As of May 8, 2020, there were reportedly 75,670 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the United States. Two states, New York at 35% and New Jersey at 12%, accounted for nearly 50% of those deaths. Those two states also accounted for 26% and 11% of all US COVID-19 cases respectively. Yet, 46 states have or had enacted strict policies restricting the movements and activities of US Citizens. There have been public health experts have called for at least some restrictions to remain in place until there is a COVID-19 vaccine.

There may never, however, be a vaccine for COVID-19. Humanity has struggled mightily against viruses throughout our history.  From November 19, 2018, Donalda G. McNeil Jr. stated the below in his column, “Why Don’t We Have Vaccines Against Everything?”  

“There is no universal flu vaccine. There are no vaccines with long-lasting protection against malaria or tuberculosis. None for parasites like Chagas, elephantiasis, hookworm or liver flukes. None for some viral threats that could become pandemic, like Nipah, Lassa and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. None for some that already have, including Lyme, West Nile, Zika and hepatitis C. None for respiratory syncytial virus, which kills infants, nor even for the dozens of causes of common colds.”

Vaccines for viral infections and diseases seem to be more the exception than the rule. This is why an excerpt from a CNN Health article from May 4, 2020 entitled, “What happens if a coronavirus vaccine is never developed? It has happened before,” concerns me greatly.

“Instead of wiping out COVID-19, societies may instead learn to live with it. Cities would slowly open and some freedoms will be returned, but on a short leash, if experts' recommendations are followed.”

“Some freedoms will be returned, but on a short leash?” We can argue over the Constitutionality of the state lockdown orders, and it seems that that debate is kicking off, but I don’t think it can be reasonably argued that the continued lockdowns pass muster. Our governments, in their formation, were designed to ensure liberty and freedom in the US. Our rights are not granted by government, our founders made clear that our rights were inherently derived from our creator. How is it that a government designed to protect our rights, that were divinely bestowed upon us, can now be questioning which of our freedoms can be and to what degree those freedoms will be restored?

Fear and panic led to the governed to acquiesce to initial lockdown and stay-home orders. Now, unemployment has jumped from 3.5% to 14.7% and real GDP has plummeted from 2.1% to (-4.8%). Americans are becoming restless, and statements about restoring freedoms in a limited way does not do much to assuage citizens’ concerns. It seems that the governed are no longer willing to consent to these measures in the name of public safety. Resting freedoms back from the grip of governments, historically, has been a treacherous road.

Combatting COVID-19 has always been a risk mitigation scenario. Governments have assumed the role of your risk management authority, a responsibility that rightfully belongs to you. The governments should educate the population on the risk, severity, and mitigation strategies but the ultimate decisions should fall to the people. To be free you must have choice.