diff --git a/images/tp/remote-list b/images/tp/remote-list index afb3497..875144b 100644 --- a/images/tp/remote-list +++ b/images/tp/remote-list @@ -3,3 +3,5 @@ eff-privacy.png https://web.archive.org/web/20190102234255/https://www.eff.org/f fsfs-icons-beige.png https://web.archive.org/web/20190105011705/http://static.fsf.org/nosvn/images/badges/fsfs_icons_beige-bg.png lp-2017-crop.png https://web.archive.org/web/20181208025632/https://libreplanet.org/2017/assets/img/site_logo_alternate.png -crop 75x75+29+0 lp-2019-logo.png https://libreplanet.org/2019/assets/img/lp-logo-2019.svg -background '#4f0276' -resize 220x75 +covid-19-fatality-rate.png https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Illustration_of_SARS-COV-2_Case_Fatality_Rate_200228_01-1.png/640px-Illustration_of_SARS-COV-2_Case_Fatality_Rate_200228_01-1.png +covid-19-flatten-curve.gif https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Covid-19-curves-graphic-social-v3.gif/640px-Covid-19-curves-graphic-social-v3.gif diff --git a/post/2020-03-15-social-responsibility-covid-19.md b/post/2020-03-15-social-responsibility-covid-19.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..69cfe6d --- /dev/null +++ b/post/2020-03-15-social-responsibility-covid-19.md @@ -0,0 +1,163 @@ +# Social Responsibility Amid COVID-19 Outbreak + +Most of my posts here relate somehow to software freedom, + user privacy, + or some other issue driven by technology. +As an activist for user freedom, + my goal is usually to figure out ways in which to empower people using + technology---to + put them on equal footing with those that are in a position to exhert + control. + To make the vulnerable less vulnerable. + +But all of that is a focused fight as part of broader goal for social + freedom and equality. +If we take a moment to look up from out focus on technology to see the + bigger picture, + we can see that our activism and advocacy follow a moral framework that + necessitates certain responsibility during this outbreak of COVID-19 + caused by the novel coronavirus. + + + +The purpose of this post is not to give a history on the disease + (you [can read about that elsewhere][wikipedia-covid-19])---it + is meant to appeal to people _during the ongoing crisis_ to help save + lives. + +[wikipedia-covid-19]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covid-19 + +I live in the United States. + Buffalo, New York, specially, which is on the edge of Lake Erie in + Western NY. +Yesterday, + we received word of our first confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region, + one of them in a neighboring town where I grew up and where my mother + lives. +Today, + our County executive [closed down schools until at least + April 20th][school-close], + and we learned of more cases. +I have two young school-aged children, + but fortunately I have the option to work from home. +The company I work for announced today that all of its offices nationally + will be closed at least through the end of March. + +[school-close]: https://news.wbfo.org/post/erie-county-covid-19-state-emergency-schools-closed-until-april-20 + +But this isn't at all unexpected. +And I don't think the response is at all disproportionate. +The problem is: + the United States has done a very poor job in making enough tests + available to meet demand; + consequently, + we have no idea how many actual cases exist in most communities. +Even though we just received word of a handful of confirmed cases in my + community, + I suspect that (in my fairly large county) that actual number is in the + hundreds or thousands. + +I'm young---I just turned 30 this past October. +Children seem to experience extremely mild symptoms of the illness, + so I'm not too worried about them. +My wife is pregnant and due at the end of April, + but [the risk may not be high there either][pregnancy]. +So why am I writing this post if the most I have to worry about personally + is that I'm having trouble finding groceries and toiletries because people + are panic-buying and hoarding? + +[pregnancy]: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html? + +![Graph of COVID-19 Fatality Rate By Age + [^age-graph]](/images/tp/covid-19-fatality-rate.png) + +[^age-graph]: [Source](https://www.scientificanimations.com/wiki-images/). + Copyright © 2020 www.scientificanimations.com. CC BY-SA 4.0. + [Wikimedia Commons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_of_SARS-COV-2_Case_Fatality_Rate_200228_01-1.png). + + +It's not uncommon for young people to feel impervious. +Invincible. +If you know that your symptoms from COVID-19 will resemble a cold or flu, + why bother worrying at all? + +As you can see from the above graph, + the mortality rate of the disease increases drastically in populations + 60 years of age and older. +So while me and my children may not be at high risk, + what happens if they go visit and hug their great grandmother? +Or what of someone out shopping that may be showing no symptoms but then + touches a surface, + and then an elderly person touches that same surface later that day? + +Or what if you _are_ actually healthy, + and have not contracted the disease? +You may still be able to pass it from surface to surface just by being out + and about. + +!["Flatten the Curve" Graph and Animation [^flatten-curve]](/images/tp/covid-19-flatten-curve.gif) + +[^flatten-curve]: + [Source](https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/09-03-2020/the-three-phases-of-covid-19-and-how-we-can-make-it-manageable/). + Copyright © 2020 Siouxsie Wiles and Toby Morris. CC BY-SA 4.0. + [Wikimedia Commons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Covid-19-curves-graphic-social-v3.gif) + +Our actions have real consequences. + +Much of the talk is now about "flattening the curve" through social + distancing. +Events and [mass gatherings][] are being canceled. +People are being asked to work from home, + and quarantine themselves at home when sick. +Elective surgeries are being canceled to make room in hospitals for patients + that really need to be there. + +[mass gatherings]: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html + +If too many people contract COVID-19 at once, + our healthcare system will not be able to keep up. +If we can throttle the spread of the disease over a long enough period of + time, + patients will be more likely to get the life-saving care that they need + and may end up recovering. + +So when I think of myself as an activist for user freedom---to + level the playing field---I + now think of the above graphs. +If I want to be a positive change for society, + what is the most important and most effective thing I can do right now? + +It has nothing to do with software. + +The best thing I can do is _stay at home_ unless it's necessary that I go + out, + in the hope that I can do my part to keep this disease from spreading + ever more rapidly. +If you do go out, + _wash your hands_ with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. +Don't touch your face without washing your hands. +Use hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. +Keep your distance from other people. +Avoid social gatherings. +Stop hoarding supplies that others need, + and may even need more than you. +_Consider others._ + +I hope that you will do the same. +But at the same time, + I also recognize that I'm in a fortunate situation, + being able to work from home and continue receiving a paycheck. +Others may not have that option. +They may not be able to stay home with kids, + or pay for child care. +They may miss paychecks. +They may miss payments on rent or student loans or other debts. +They may be without healthcare. +And if you are one of those people reading this, + I hope that the federal government and your State government are able to + provide you with relief soon. +This is going to get worse before it gets better. + +For more information, + see the [CDC's COVID-19 Resources](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html). +