What one year of the pandemic has taught us about the reality of gun control
There's a certain realization I've had about gun control recently which stems from a year of observations of the highly politicized pandemic response in the USA.
The USA has suffered 1,659.02 deaths per million as of March 26th, for a total of 544,555. This objectively demonstrates an inadequate response when compared with other countries. I believe comparisons with Germany are the most appropriate, as they are a Western country with a conservative, anti-shutdown movement a lot like ours. That said, they stuck to the science much better than we did and were more willing and able to make short-term sacrifices in their economy and keep the conservatives in check.
Germany has had 910.22 deaths per million in contrast, or 748.8 fewer. Extrapolated to our population, that equates to 245,786 lives sacrificed.
I choose the word "sacrificed" here purposefully. We as a country seem to have willingly spent these lives in order to keep our support of shutdowns at lackluster levels. We spent these lives in order to let non-essential businesses limp along and to even avoid the inconvenience of wearing masks. We spent these lives in order to pack churches and MAGA rallies with people. We willingly paid the price for these "freedoms".
While the final bill may not have been knowable last March, science told us that the likelihood of this was there. However, I see no remorse from the Republicans in general, no concession that these costs were too high. I see no evidence of any self-reflection here at all, no acknowledgement that the richest country in the world could have afforded to do more.
So if Republicans are willing to spend 245,786 American lives for a year of fewer constraints like these, I don't see them ever batting an eye at spending 20,000 lives a year for the freedom of owning guns. Their party leaders can't ever admit to this, but I believe this is the mentality.
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