I think the only exception is that if the pandemic kills primarily children, and at high rates. We don't care much about the elderly or even the middle-aged, but our society as a whole has a pretty strong "think of the children" attitude that would guarantee strict and prolonged lockdowns in that scenario.
You are more hopeful than I am. The think of the children attitude is only when it’s politically advantageous. 16% of kids live in poverty. We’ll do whatever we can to protect children before they’re born then go like, “good luck” once they’re born.
but our society as a whole has a pretty strong "think of the children" attitude that would guarantee strict and prolonged lockdowns in that scenario.
in the US this cannot be further from the truth. we allow our children to be slaughtered in school, be hungry, be without health insurance. US cares more about 8754 other things before children
Don't forget we also use our knowledge of science and psychology to capture and destroy the attention spans of the our children for the "short term" enrichment of elite shareholders. I say short term because I think the whole country is soon to face very real issues as a result.
The "think of the children" is mainly performative and depends tremendously on who the children are.
agree with your post except this part… I honestly do not think it matters at all who the children are - the US entire system is setup to do exactly the opposite of thinking of the children. if there is money involved in any way children will get fucked (the most recent example being KOSA which was voted in senate almost unanimously only to then be killed by zuck paying everyone off…). I find all “think of chidren” garbage very amusing (though of course it is no laughing matter)
