To begin, I am someone who has advocated for a complete shutdown, with the exception of grocery stores and other extremely essential services from the very beginning of this Covid-19 nightmare. I was receptive to Bill Ackmans call to “shut it down, NOW” on CNBC in mid-March. I believe governments all over the world are acting under immense pressure, and for the most part have taken smart measures.

Today, as states across the USA began to loosen their quarantine orders (Florida is opening its beaches) I am seeing many on social media who are apoplectic at those who are demanding their states re-open. So much so that they have resorted to calling them “morons”, and even suggesting they deserve to die.

I have noticed that those who are so emotionally distraught about these new developments work in sectors whose survival does not depend on the economy opening up. They are teachers, media personalities, comedians, actors, or work in industries where they are able to work from home and continue to receive a pay check. If the only adjustment you have to make to your life is moving your laptop from your desk at work to your dining room table, then you could handle a quarantine for another 3 years. The kids are annoying at home, but its nothing that causes real gut-wrenching anxiety.

On the other hand, there are restaurant franchisee’s, hoteliers, salons/barber shops, and small business owners of all kinds who are just days away from complete financial ruin. While authorities ponder about social distancing and quarantine measures lasting up to 21 more months, they cannot stand the thought of it going on 21 more hours.

The “lockdown at all cost” advocates are mistakingly believing these people are somehow dumber than they are, for having the gall to want to save their livelihoods and everything they have worked their entire lives for.

It has been suggested that leaders are putting the economy ahead of the nations health. Do these people realize that the two are often linked? The “economy” is not an abstract idea. It is not solely the Wall Street casino. It is small and medium sized business all across the country, and the people who own and operate them, employing millions of people.

I saw a photo yesterday of some protesters in Michigan looking rather angry. But wouldn’t you be angry as well? Many of these businesses may have had cash flow issues to start, but now many of them are on the brink of bankruptcy. Some of them have likely already drowned. Does it anger them to hear politicians pontificating about a shutdown that may last another year? You bet it does. It must be all the more infuriating to be called a bunch of rubes by those who bear no consequence to society totally shutting down.

To be clear- I have been a staunch advocate for draconian measures in order to contain this virus. But like every other hot button issue, we hear what other people are saying, but we never bother to take the second step and ask ourselves why they must be saying it.

To shut down the economic engine of a nation for 3 weeks is one thing, to do it for 3 months is a completely different thing. To shut it down for years? That can be catastrophic.

Our leaders have some very difficult decisions ahead of them. But let us remember that some of our fellow citizens bear the brunt of quarantine more than others, and be understanding of their anxieties, not dismissive of them.