My body, your choice?
Re: “Inside state’s growing antishutdown movement,” April 27 news story
It is true, as Mr. Joe Oltmann says, that if he makes the wrong choice regarding staying at home and other public health methods to inhibit the spread of the coronavirus (such as wearing masks, social distancing, and the like), it may end up killing him. But, he says, that’s his choice. The problem with his way of thinking, and all those who think like him, is that his choice may end up killing me, and all the others who he may unknowingly infect. And all those who are infected by those he infects, etc., etc., etc. His wrong choice has ramifications beyond his own body. Paul Chessin, Denver
A man arguing against shutdowns says, “If I choose the wrong way and it kills me, I’m sorry, but I made a choice.”
He needs to put that in writing so that the doctor treating him in the ICU can say, “We don’t need to bother with this one. He made his own choice.” Kathy Taylor, Louisville
Philip Varley says he spent a day sitting outside Denver area emergency rooms with a video camera to gather evidence that the hospitals are not overcrowded, and on April 19 he joined the protest. Thank you, Mr. Varley, for confirming that the stay-at-home order is working exactly as Governor Polis hoped it would — our health care system has not yet been overwhelmed. I’m sure our front-line health care workers are extremely grateful for the sacrifices being made by the great majority of the population. It’s called sacrificing for the common good — a true American value. Terry Buck, Broomfield
It’s not all about you. Those that join the anti-shutdown movement forget that there are people who could become infected with the virus because you refused to “stayat-home.” You can be asymptomatic and pass the virus to others! I am 82 years old and I have not been out in more than five weeks in order to protect myself and others. So, it’s not all about you! Cindy Garcia, Lakewood
Do the folks shouting “My Body, My Choice” still expect our brave health care professionals to risk their lives treating them? Maybe they should all carry a “please-letme-die” card. Gerald W. Berk, Evergreen