August 30, 2025

Since a rational creature cannot be supposed, when free, to put himself in subjection to another for his own harm…prerogative can be nothing but the people’s permitting their rulers to do several things…for the public good and their acquiescing in it when so done.

John Locke (1632–1704), English philosopher, lawyer and physician, II Civil Government, XIV, 164

What of those—presumably irrational creatures, who take direction from some other and, as a result, do harm to themselves. Do we care? Are they irrational, or simply seriously misinformed? Who is at fault?

Apply this to the question of COVID masking and see what you come up with.