The American right is pushing 'freedom over fear'. It won't stop the virus | Jan-Werner Müller

Yes, and yet... no.

There are undoubtedly many Americans who are simply being "stubborn"... because any change to routines (let alone the implication of risk) is too much for them. However, most of the people I know don't really mind wearing a mask, and aren't prepared to "ignore" the threat from COVID-19. What they are concerned about is being "tricked" by what they've come to regard as a completely failed system of governance dominated by misinformation, deception, and hyper-resistance to liability.

If our leaders want to earn back our trust, here's the "roadmap":

1. Clarify (and for Pete's sake, simplify) the information- Most of us are NOT virologists, mathematicians, scientists, or doctors... give it to us straight in terms of how many people (who are otherwise completely healthy) are getting sick with COVID-19 each day, how many are going into hospitals, and how many are dying (again, sans any other possible cause of death). EXPLAIN why a simple scarf or neck gaiter is/is not as effective as medical-grade masks. I don't need MORE data... I need BETTER data.

2. Divorce the information from the politics- We "get it"; the Democrats and Republicans will say/do anything to beat each other... this is bigger than that. It's even bigger than anyone's personal desire to "fundamentally change America"... or revisit the 1950s. Stop the "spin", and stick to the facts.

3. We do NOT trust the much-vaunted, as of yet delivered "vaccine"- Why? Well, for starters, it's hard to know how much of the "conspiracy theory" crap is crap... and how much might be true. Mandating we wear a mask? Ok. Ordering us to "social distance"? I'll bite. Passing legislation that might require me to let someone stick my child with something in a time when we have serving members of the local, state, and federal governments making some pretty "wild" decisions is NOT the same thing. Give us facts, options, then let us make the choice.

4. Grow a set- Sounds crude, but that's how I feel. Our leaders appear weak, indecisive, and irresolute. Make a calculated guess on losses in life vs. loss of socio-economic stability. Determine at what point, and at what cost this crisis can be resolved. Again, give us the facts... let us decide.

5. Respect the fact that we are free citizens... not "subjects"- Having a doctorate does not makes someone "better" than me; it just means they might have a little more knowledge about a very specific problem. I'm prone to listen, so long as they don't act like any question I pose is irrelevant just because they spent six figures on their education.