13 Comments
User's avatar
⭠ Return to thread
Virtue Mustwin's avatar

The problem is that those who decide to stay may then call for help if they get in trouble, and this jeopardizes whoever is sent to try to rescue them.

Expand full comment
Jeff C's avatar

True, but that excuse is used to justify every authoritarian edict. The exact same reasoning was used to justify covid lockdowns, masks, and mandatory vaxxes.

People have become soft, and far too willing to unquestioningly acquiesce to power. Staying in the path of a hurricane isn't real bright and I would have left, but stating is REQUIRED to act "to protect oneself or others" has been abused so many times those in charge no longer get the benefit of the doubt.

I was told the vax was mandatory or I would be fired (federal contractor mandate). I fought it and demanded accommodation for my sincere religious beliefs under the Civil Rights Act. Because I knew the law, submitted well researched documentation, and made clear I'd sue if it wasn't granted, my request was honored. No vax despite it being "mandatory". In talking to my coworkers afterwards, most wish they hadn't been so compliant in hindsight.

Expand full comment
Carrie's avatar

I would like your comment 100 times if I could

Expand full comment
carily myers's avatar

me too!

Expand full comment
Virtue Mustwin's avatar

I was offering the rationale. I grew up when government was rational, and now that is no longer the case. Good for you that you managed to avoid the vax. I am sorry I took the two initial ones, but not as sorry as my family members who are in real medical trouble as a result of that damn shot.

Expand full comment
Jeff C's avatar

Fair enough, and apologies for thinking you were justifying it.

The problem is so many people use this as the exact rationale for unquestioningly accepting authoritarian edicts. Those in charge use it to manipulate people through guilt (unvaxxed are "killing grandma", etc.).

Expand full comment
Juju's avatar

It’s their right to choose to stay depending on their individual, personal circumstances not similar to any other, without being arm-chair judged for it, and it’s the rescuer’s right to choose to come or not to come. They don’t have to! That’s the risk we all take and we are aware of it. Luckily we have people who respect rights and freedoms, and they choose to come rescue anyway. Good and selfless people. What a concept, huh?

Expand full comment
Virtue Mustwin's avatar

Seat belts in cars, and helmets on motorcyclists are mandatory in most places. Seat belts have saved a lot of lives, and helmets have saved a lot of brains. I have sympathy for the first responders, police, EMTs etc who have to deal with people's bad decisions. The responders don't always have a choice. I'd like as few of them to develop on-the-job PTSD as possible.

Expand full comment
carily myers's avatar

So will you protect us morons from anything that might hurt us, mommy/daddy? Rule me harder, please.

BTW-I rode Harleys for 30 yrs w/out a helmet (unless mandatory/law)-never had a problem.

Expand full comment
Politico Phil's avatar

That's a non-starter and false reasoning. Emergency personnel do not respond in the middle of a hurricane when it is too dangerous to travel. After that, it is their job to respond to calls for help.

Expand full comment
Susan G's avatar

Which is the point the mayor should have made, not death.

Expand full comment
Emumundo's avatar

After winds reach a certain point no one is going out to rescue you. Bridges are closed and you hunker down. That’s made clear early on before anything hits.

Expand full comment
STH's avatar

But that’s the job they signed up for. Though I do see your point.

Expand full comment