12/18/2020 (updated 12/19/2020).  I invite comments.

Several months ago I made the rash prediction that by Christmas, COVID deaths in the US would exceed US killed in action in WWII.  There are several statistics about KIA, but let settle on 450,000 in about four years of war giving an average of about 300 a day.  Yesterday 3,281 in the US die of COVID (more than then times the daily rate in WWII), and the total to date is about 310,000.

So I was wrong.  At the current rate, there will be about 330,000 deaths by Christmas and about 350,00 by New Year's Eve. 

I have two questions:  If we applied common sense and followed scientific advice, how many of these deaths could have been avoided?  Is it better to assert what one considers one's "God Given" or "Constitutional" rights, or is it better to respect the health of ourselves and those around us?

Consider automobile seat belts.  Do I assert my constitutional right to drive without my seat belt fastened?*  Do you?  Should I demand to be able to drive around seatbeltless?  Naked?  Steer with my feet?  Drive at 60 MPH in a school zone?  Is it an infringement on my right to privacy to have to have a license plate?

(update, 12/19/2020):  I received a comment from a classmate suggesting better metaphors to mask mandates, freedom of choice, and public safety:

• Mandated driving on the right side of the road.
• Mandated stopping at red lights.
• Mandated stopping at stop signs.

The classmate further comments, "We don't consider these behaviors to be matters of "personal decision", as S.D. Gov. Kristi Noem, and others of her ilk, would have it."

May I suggest that if one selfishly insists on NOT wearing a mask (and assuming that everyone accepts the science that masks reduce the transmission of COVID (and probably muliple other transmittable illnesses like the common cold)), you may be endangering the health of anyone in your proximity?  I guess that is just fine if one does not care about family, friends, neighbors, and fellow humans.

Now one may blame the Chinese and point fingers (perhaps rightfully), but for me it boils down to this:  We have known for decades who are our enemies, and we know what we need to do do protect ourselves.  So shame on us if we don't take responsibility and control of our own lives and country.

One last and unrelated question:  As a result of my previous emails, several of you called me (or said I sounded like) a socialist.  I don't know what a socialist, so would you please in concrete terms define "socialism" for me?  Thank you.

*Upon further consideration, by not wearing a seatbelt, I only endanger myself.  By not wearing a mask (or taking other common sense precautions) I potentially endanger myself as well as others with whom I come in contact.