The Justifications For Lockdowns Found Wanting… Journal of Medicine & Philosophy
Although nationwide lockdowns are unprecedented in modern history, there’s been remarkably little public debate about whether they are justified ethically. Vague appeals to ‘protecting the NHS’ will not do, especially since the U.K. Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011 says that halting the spread of pandemic influenza virus would be “a waste of public health resources”.
In a paper due to appear in the Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, Samuel Director and Christopher Freiman examine the two main justifications that have been given for lockdown. And they find both of these justifications wanting. In particular, they argue that each one has implications that most people would not accept.
The first major justification for lockdowns is that we have to minimise lives lost (or perhaps life years lost). In other words: we should adopt whichever policy minimises the total number of deaths, and since lockdown is the policy that achieves that, we should implement lockdowns.
As an example of this justification, the authors quote the former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who said, “We’re not going to put a dollar figure on human life. The first order of business is to save lives, period. Whatever it costs.”
Yet upon reflection, this justification makes very little sense. For example, it would imply that governments should drastically reduce speed limits to prevent all road deaths – at the cost of time, convenience and economic efficiency. (Or perhaps they’d have to ban cars altogether.)
As I’ve previously noted: “Society has functions other than simply extending people’s lives for as long as possible. If it did not, we’d spend a much higher fraction of GDP on healthcare, and we’d ban alcohol, smoking and extreme sports.”
The second major justification for lockdowns is that we must defer to experts. In other words: we should adopt whichever policy the experts advocate, and since the experts advocate lockdown, that is what we should do.
Aside from the fact that many experts were against lockdown – not to mention the difficulty of even defining ‘expertise’ in this area – insisting that we must defer to experts has implications that many people would reject. Read more here
Editor writes…
Wouldn’t it have been heartening to see the Pope and Bishops among the first to point out the lack of justification for these lockdowns? Instead, they have been complicit in what amounts to the crime of false imprisonment and ongoing restrictions imposed on our way of life. Why?
It is noteworthy, surely, that the bishops (e.g. Archbishop Viganò and Bishop Schneider) who are speaking out against this removal of our freedoms, are those who preach about the Fatima prophecies and Message. They clearly recognise the connection – they realise that we are being marched into accepting totalitarian forms of governance, connecting this with the Fatima warning that Communism would spread to every country in the world. Again, though, why… why so few churchmen with their finger on the pulse?
Comments (32)
I’m just home from being out (!) and saw the following notice posted …
Stop spreading lies and fake news about Covid-19. Leave that to the BBC.
Penned by one of the minority of the clued-in. I was blessed to meet one such soul during my trip – clasping his mask in hand, he said he just can’t wear it any more… I pointed out that this ditching the masks and ignoring the social distancing rules has to happen to send a clear signal to the Government(s) that we are not complying any more. It’s these visual signals that they are keeping in order to monitor obedience which in turn encourages them to keep right on oppressing us.
Just a quick note on the Harm that Masks can cause. Of course many if not all on here know it .
My Nephew has a Bad rash on His Face ,particularly around his nose and Mouth.
From wearing Masks of course. Again of course He has no Option if He wishes to Work .His Bosses Demand that all Employees wear them. Again of course we hear of Children being forced to wear these Masks at School, for Hours. The Harm that it could be doing to Lungs especially Lungs not fully developed will probably be worse,much worse than Smoking.
Faith of our Fathers,
I was speaking to a man in the supermarket the other day who said he’s stopped wearing his mask because it causes him a lot of discomfort. He had it slung round his hand. I hope he ditches it altogether.
Maybe if your son hints to his boss that he may have a lawsuit on his hands if his rashes continue, that will make him think twice.
Me again – this interview with Bishop Schneider has just arrived in my inbox so, although I’ve not had time to read it yet, it looks like fitting on this thread. Quoting the opening:
Paris, FRANCE (LifeSiteNews) — Bishop Athanasius Schneider is certainly the most outspoken bishop on the subject of abortion-tainted vaccines, but as a former citizen of a communist country – having lived as a child in a member state of the Soviet Union – he is also very much opposed to the “sanitary dictatorship” that is being set up in so many countries under the pretense of fighting COVID-19. As France is sliding into an increasingly totalitarian system where COVID “vaccination” will be compulsory as of September 15, and where both the public and employees are being forced to exhibit a “sanitary pass” for many ordinary acts of life, Bishop Schneider answered LifeSite’s questions about the eschatological dimension of these unprecedented requirements.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/interview-with-bishop-schneider/
I was impressed, as I always am, with Bishop Schneider especially this:
““We have already now to seek all the practical possibilities to avoid this new forced dictatorship over our body and our freedom. If we do not do this, there will be a totalitarianism that will be complete, and this will be the end of every human society,” he said, more than once using the word “slavery” to describe the consequences of the measures being forced on French citizens. “
I think that the protests have worked in France, though, and the vax passports are not going to be law after all.
Bernie,
I’ve just tried a quick search but can find nothing to suggest that France has ditched Vaccine Passports – on the contrary, they seem to be enforcing them.
I think it’s really obvious that there is no justification for lockdowns and the extended restrictions. It’s causing great damage to the economy, education and the health and well-being of the whole population. I wonder, though, how much publicity the msm will give to academic paper when it is published in the Journal of Medicine and Philosophy?
Why so few churchmen with their finger on the pulse? Because most of them have got their hands in the Modernist cookie jar, which consists largely of financial and sexual perks.
RCA Victor,
Ouch!
RCA Victor,
Ouch indeed!
Then, of course there is the question of ‘How is it that vaccines suddenly stop working when the unvaccinated come near those Vaccinated?
I take medication to control my high blood pressure, would that not mean everyone else should take medication to control their blood pressure, even, if it a simple measure of keeping me company?
SAYS SHE WITH TONGUE IN HER CHEEK.
Anyone of average intelligence who has researched this fake narrative on COVID and the totalitarian methods introduced in its name knows that what’s actually unfolding in the world is a manifestation of real evil. This is Communist takeover of the world disguised as public health concern – it has been very well planned over a long period of time and is being internationally orchestrated with precision timing. Our politicians have turned into international criminals betraying their own nations and peoples – they should all be on trial for their treachery.
Athanasius,
“International criminals” – never a truer word. Can’t wait for the trial!
Remnant Newspaper it seems are about to be banned from youtube for not complying with their policies. A case of white is black and black is white.
https://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/articles/item/5564-resistence-is-not-futile-cancelling-the-great-reset
I like this summary of our current situation, in which “Communism” is compared to “Covidism,” and found to be the same ideology:
https://www.theburningplatform.com/2021/09/02/the-goal-of-covidism-is-communism/
RCA Victor,
That link is spot on – the goal of this whole virus enterprise is to establish Communist systems of governance across the world.
Incredibly, here is Scotland, there is, at last, a little sign of fightback – at least on one issue, from some parents…
https://www.christian.org.uk/news/scots-council-reinstates-single-sex-toilets-at-school-after-campaign-by-parents/?e030921
Boris Johnson is going to extend the emergency Coronavirus powers in England.
https://dailysceptic.org/author/michael-curzon/
The official line is he is going to “seek” to extend those powers but we all know that Parliamentary democracy is a thing of the past. He’ll get that through Parliament no bother. As David Davies MP said on his twitter feed (quoted in the above report) those powers should never have been given in the first place. Now, they will not be handed back.
Laura,
Did I not say at the very start of this false imprisonment and tyranny that Governments do not hand back powers they take in an alleged emergency, not least when said emergency has been engineered for the specific purpose of grabbing more power over the people? We’re not talking Politics for Geniuses here…
The lockdowns and everything Governments are doing are beyond evil. The events in Australia particularly vile. They are designed to ruin economies, smash everything up, so that they can “build back better” (ha!).
I understand there may be an internet outage any time now, followed by a fiscal meltdown possibly in October, of epic proportions (see link below). . I understand that we will come out on the other side either with our freedoms back or totally dependent on the State (unless we can find ways of living off the grid) giving them total power over us.
I think we still have some influence over which of these two outcomes prevails. Employers, schools, restaurants, all businesses, everyone, MUST resist the vacpass.
It all hangs on whether our Governments succeed in creating their own Central Bank Digital Currency which needs everyone on a digital ID system, ie the Vacpass. That’s what it is, a digital ID system. If we can stop this , the future is hopeful.
https://www.moneymagpie.com/manage-your-money/jennifer-arcuri-says-you-should-take-your-money-out-of-the-banks
Mary,
The problem with this “take your money out of the banks” (which I’ve been hearing for years) is that it is then impossible to pay for anything. Everything is done through the banks. Only today I was booking a workman and when asked about payment, he said he’d prefer to be paid via bank transfer. I was hoping to arrange a payment plan, 20 pence a month for the next 50 years. Well, not quite, but you’ll get my drift 😀 So, I’ve yet to be convinced about (formally and finally) emptying my bank account. Not that the bank manager would notice if I did – he sends me a sympathy card every Christmas, I kid you not. 😀
Editor : I shouldn’t think Jennifer Arcuri means ALL of it; that’s not a practical idea at the moment as you say. But anyone with enough surplus money might like to think about investing a proportion of it in tangible assets like gold from a reputable dealer who can store it for them. Then when they need the money they can sell it back to them and have the money paid into their designated account. Not putting all their eggs in one basket. And its a good idea to have some cash in case the electronic payment systems fail, and to stock up non- perishable food and bottled water. I’ve an idea we’re in for a bumpy ride soon and no bad thing to prepare.
I think though we need to learn how to live off the grid, out of the clutches of the corporate world, as much as possible. . I can foresee a situation where Government might freeze dissidents’ bank accounts although they might let direct debits get processed. .
Mary,
The minute I find myself with surplus money, I’ll go looking for a gold dealer 😀
I’m hearing a number of people saying they are “stocking up” but with “use by” dates on everything, that’s another set of problems, so, I think I’m going to follow the advice of Brother Lawrence and live in the present moment… Within reason, of course – I’ll make sure I don’t run out of chocolate 😀
Seriously, I appreciate what you say about practical preparation for bad times ahead. You make very interesting points.
Editor; stocking up on chocolate of course no 1 priority !!!!!! Not what I would call a perishable food but it never lasts long does it !
I had trouble understanding some of Jennifer Arcuri’s pronouncements. but I think the fiscal meltdown will lead to one of 2 outcomes: countries will either have a Central Bank Digital Currency totally under Government control which will totally enslave us ; this needs a digital ID system in place ie the vacpass. Time is of the essence here and by refusing the vacpass en masse we might be able to slow down and stop this juggernaut. This means it’s vital to resist the vacpass so employers and businesses have a lot of influence over this.
I’m not hopeful though, at least in UK.
The other outcome is a digital currency Bitcoin ? which is free of Government control but under control of whoever controls the Internet. Don’t know how that would work out but it’s got to be better than the first option.
That’s how I understand it however.
I can’t believe how people roll over and obey Govt diktats unquestioningly. The juggernaut might have been stopped by now if they weren’t like that.
Mary,
All it would take for this to stop, is for the clowns still wearing masks to remove them – end of discussion. Once there is a clear visual “get lost” to Government, that’ll certainly slow things down, if not put an end to the tyranny, once and for all.
Too many people have lost the art of critical thinking where covid-19 is concerned. Is there such a thing is a brainless wonder award? Or am I being facetious?
https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/a-virus-that-has-killed-more-minds-than-bodies/
Theresa Rose,
I could not agree more with that article. There is NO critical thinking any more in the mind(less) majority of the population. It’s incredible.
It’s obvious that there are plans for more lockdowns, possibly even as early as October. This commentator from GB News is very good.
Josephine
I would stake my reduced furloughed pay on more lockdowns – I’ve been predicting it for months. We’re all under criminal regimes now, running our nations like a Mafia cartel for China. This is not going to end until God intervenes.
By the way, I’m still furloughed after 18 months and have no idea if I will have a job when it’s over. It is absolutely evil and the people will need to rise up against it soon or they’ll have no life left worth living.
Athanasius,
Where you bin, Bro? The people won’t rise up because they don’t care about “a life worth living” – they just want to “stay safe”! Idiots. Mz May Devotions covered this topic in the September newsletter but in case you missed it, here’s Dennis Prager on the subject of “staying safe”… Seems this has turned out to be one of his all time favourite fireside chats. No prizes for guessing why. Clue: common sense…
Editor
Yes, you’re right, as is Dennis. I was out again today, at the local shopping centre, and all the idiots “staying safe” were there virtue signalling their obedience to the State with their pathetic little face masks. I don’t think I saw a single person without one, so, yes, a nation and a world filled with idiots.
Just arrived in my inbox, from the Catholic Parliamentary Office… Note that while the Bishops say absolutely NOTHING about the scandalous removal of our personal and religious freedoms (as they, in fact, continue to co-operate in the scam in diocesan parish churches), they speak out publicly against “the arms trade”…
Catholic Bishops and organisations call for an end to the arms trade
Catholic Bishops and organisations have voiced their opposition to the arms trade, as the UK prepares to host one of the world’s largest arms fairs next week.
The DSEI arms fair takes place in London 14-17 September, bringing together governments and military delegations from across the world with more than 1,500 companies selling guns, bombs, and other weaponry.
A statement signed by Catholic Bishops from across the UK, took up the call of Pope Francis to end the arms trade. Commenting on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop William Nolan, Bishop of Galloway said;
“Tragically, conflicts fueled by the trade harm the world’s poorest communities, they force people to flee their homes as refugees, and they have devastating consequences for our environment. We urge governments across the world, including our own, to commit themselves to ending the global arms trade and instead pursue the path of peace and reconciliation.”
The full statement is shown below;
Full statement:
As the UK again prepares to host one of the world’s largest arms fairs, we recall the message of Pope Francis: “Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade.”
We recognise the right of every country to defend itself against attack, but we must never ignore, or allow ourselves to become complicit in, the destruction of human life and violations of human dignity made possible by the sale of weaponry. The conflicts fueled by this trade harm the poorest communities, force people to flee their homes as refugees, and have devastating consequences for our environment.
We stand alongside all those people of goodwill who are peacefully campaigning against the arms trade and join in prayer with the Holy Father that our leaders may commit themselves to ending it, in pursuit of peace and care for our whole human family.
Signatories:
Bishop William Nolan, President – Justice and Peace Scotland
Bishop Declan Lang, Chair – Department of International Affairs, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Bishop William Kenney, lead bishop for peace and disarmament issues, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Bishop Paul McAleenan, lead bishop for migrants and refugees, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Ann Farr, Chair, Pax Christi England and Wales
Marian Pallister, Chair, Pax Christi Scotland
Christine Allen, Director, CAFOD
Alistair Dutton, Director, SCIAF
Paul Southgate, Chair, National Justice and Peace Network
Gimme… please… gimme patience with these nuts!
People are losing the Faith right, left and centre, and I can understand why when they see this kind of political activism while the bishops and priests go right along with the scamdemic. Not so much a mention of God in the above statement.
No names no pack drill because no point, but I watched, in disbelief, as a priest sanitised his hands before distributing Holy Communion at a recent Mass, cleaning his hands, rinsing them, thoroughly, and I do mean thoroughly, clearly desperate to protect himself against infection (from, you know, the virus from which 99.97% recover). This was no superficial show to keep the Covidiots in the congregation from reporting him to the authorities – this priest believes that this is a dangerous virus, and he clearly doesn’t want to catch it, more than he wants to be a (holy) priest. As one person said to me later, he (and the terrified woman taking the names of those in attendance, who told us, frantically, to “stay away! when she thought we were getting too close) – those two people, my friend said “are doing the Devil’s work.”
As are the above signatories, who are clearly more concerned about the environment and refugees, than about converting souls to Christ.
What’s the bet that every last one of them will support as many lockdowns as it takes to subject us to permanent Communist tyranny…
Editor
It’s what we would expect from Catholics who have lost the supernatural faith and whose energy and efforts are now entirely fixed on this world. If they could only grasp what awaits them in eternity!
Athanasius,
If only. They must be very far gone, indeed, not to realise that they are involved in nothing more than humanism with hymns.
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