Column: We can't blame the unmasked and unvaccinated for being irresponsible? Really?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

As thousands of unmasked motorcyclists carouse in the streets of Sturgis, S.D.; as protesters greet vaccine and mask mandates with comparisons to Hitler; as vaccination rates lag and COVID caseloads climb, we’re also seeing — paradoxically — a wave of sympathy for those who have failed to behave responsibly.

"Don’t be mean" is the new mantra. Blame, we’re told, is not an effective public health strategy. Those people who won’t wear masks or who refuse to be vaccinated — they’re just misinformed.

“Many unvaccinated people are scared just like us, and … with the right help and information, they would sit down next to nurses and pull up their sleeves,” said one recent op-ed piece in the New York Times.

Can this be the correct advice? Is it possible that those of us who have behaved responsibly, followed the rules and made enormous sacrifices for the last year and a half should not be outraged at the millions of Americans who refuse to take the most simple, science-backed steps?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/column-cant-blame-unmasked-unvaccinated-100018514.html

[viva la]

1. The ragers invading schoolboard meetings

Screeching that having school kids wear masks is like a nazi gas chamber....

Really, I think I'll save my understanding for children who have to count on us to protect them.

[SharonAnn]

13. The "Tea Party" was like that starting in 2008

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. I'm not mad so much as 'ambivalent about them getting sick and dying'

due to their Idiocracy made flesh.

[yankee87]

3. Only if they got sick

I am so tired of trying to understand the fevered minds of the cultists. They can get a free vaccine to protect their family, yet still won't do it. Sacrificing your children for an Orange messiah.

[agingdem]

7. four years of the press wasting inches on

"understanding the Trump voter" like these moronic assholes are worthy of our understanding... I mean what's not to get???...Trump and his voters are united in hate..gee, that was easy ...and now we're supposed to "'understand" the anti-masked anti vaxxers with something akin to compassion...no can do..those dying imbecilic assholes deserve to die sucking air through a tube in their throats...they are killing our children...

[Merlot]

4. It's possible to believe they're misinformed, have sympathy, and also

be outraged at their recklessness. It's not an either/or issue.

[patphil]

5. Most of these people will never act in a responsible way when it comes to the pandemic.

They are driven by fear, and express that through anger, hatred, and violence.
For them, this is a righteous cause. How dare the government tell me what to do?
Well, they have a drivers license, and their motorcycles are registered and insured. If not, they get arrested and fined, and may even have their vehicle impounded.
The same for states that have helmet laws, seat belt laws, and vehicle inspection laws.
Regulating vehicle usage is one way the government tells them what to do.
Protecting themselves and others against the covid virus is something they can resist; taking all of their frustration out for all those other ways they are required to follow laws they resent.

It's childish, dangerous, and counterproductive. It's like saying they're not going to let anyone tell them not to put their hand in an open flame. Getting burned is not their first thought. There is simply no interest in voluntary conformance, even when it's in their best interest.

It's not a matter of misinformation. They have deliberately chosen to believe lies over truth.
It's not a matter of being mean to them. They want, and openly encourage violent confrontation as a means of validating their hate.
There is never going to be a moment where they say they were wrong, we are right, and let me roll up my sleeve and take the shot.
It's not in their nature to do any of this.

[MyOwnPeace]

6. They would be OK if they had.....

"the right help and information..."

JEBUS H. KRIST!!!!!!

They have been told, and told, and told.................
Living in a cave or bomb shelter is one thing, but when you are out waving your tRump flag and calling out people for being 'sheep' - you KNOW what to do - you just choose NOT TO DO IT!!!!!!!

This is like saying "Hitler was a kinda' nice guy, except for the 'killing stuff.'

[TheRealNorth]

9. I have heard that from some of the rwnj's....

He did some good things.... like the autobahn and making the trains run on time.

[stillcool]

8. Just like after the election...

the poor schmucks, led by the big schmuck, needed time to accept their loss. Still waiting. Same people, same hubris. They don't need to be placated, they need to be shunned.

[Xoan]

10. Can we blame them for being STUPID?

[rickyhall]

11. I'm sorry but I have nothing but contempt for their contemp.

[sanatanadharma]

12. Some have been listening to lies, others are simply deluded...

Some have been listening to lies, others are simply deluded by tribalism.

The 'me/us' against 'them' mentality reflects fear, yes, but is rooted in dis-eased self-identity.

Do we think Americans are any different than Afghans in basic human ignorance, desires and motivations?
Anti-(various) folk are exhibiting religious style dogma.
Rules are theirs to make and sacrifices will be demanded of others

[Raftergirl]

14. You can't teach stupid.