The Harm Principle and the Pandemic

As Americans, we are afforded many freedoms and enjoy numerous individual liberties with one caveat; we are free to do as we please as long as our actions do not inflict harm on another person. As originally outlined as the “harm principle” by English philosopher John Stuart Mill in his 1859 essay “On Liberty,” the harm principle states “an individual’s action can be legitimately encroached upon if and only if that action might harm another individual.” In other words, a person is at liberty to swing their fist, but their liberty ends where another person’s nose begins.

Applying the harm principle to the ongoing pandemic, individuals who are refusing to get vaccinated and bemoaning federal and state mask mandates are misunderstanding where their civil liberties begin and end. The protection of an individual’s civil liberties ends when a person wants to participate in society but refuses to wear a mask or get vaccinated because these actions could lead to the spread of the coronavirus, causing other individuals direct harm.

Sadly, we no longer view our actions as impacting those around us. We only see partisan divides. Red vs. Blue. Republican vs. Democrat. Maskers vs. Anti-maskers. Vaxxers vs. Anti-vaxxers. It hasn’t always been this way.

During WWII, food rationing was implemented, and from 1942 until 1947 Americans obliged. Food rationing was not politicized, nor did people storm state capitals demanding an end to the program. Instead, Americans came together as a nation and did what was necessary for the good of our country.

After 9/11, Americans came together as one nation. Across the country, flags were flown as a display of solidarity and to honor the roughly 3,000 lives lost.

Conversely, now, during a global pandemic, America is more disjointed than ever. America is not coming together as a united nation. Instead, Americans are becoming more factioned, with some choosing self over society by refusing to do their part and protect others. But not all hope is lost.

There is an opportunity to help those who are vaccine-hesitant recognize the importance of vaccines and understand the truth that getting vaccinated isn’t an encroachment of civil liberties but a step toward freedom from COVID-19. The truth is, getting vaccinated gives America the greatest shot at ending the pandemic.

As someone who was concerned with getting vaccinated and spent time doing research by talking with friends and family members in the medical profession, including my doctor, I realized that getting vaccinated was not just about me. It was about helping others and protecting those in my community, friends, and family from getting sick. It was a way to serve my country. So I channeled my inner-Rosie the Riveter and rolled up my sleeve to get vaccinated.

Naturally, I was worried about the side effects of the vaccine. I was concerned about getting sick from the second shot. But for me, the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweighed the risks of getting COVID or, worse, getting someone else sick.

I’m young and healthy, thankfully. However, not everyone is like me. As an American and active member of my community, I saw getting vaccinated as a responsibility to society. It was the right thing to do.

As a matter of fact, when I made my appointment to get vaccinated, and on the day I got my second shot, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. So much so I breathed a sigh of relief and felt a weight (I didn’t know I was carrying) lifted. It felt as though I had crossed an imaginary finish line to what seemed like an ultramarathon of staying home, staying safe, sanitizing, praying, and doom-scrolling WebMD.

The anxiety levels of individuals during this time have spiked, and there’s been an uptick in alcohol consumption as people deal with isolation, fear of the unknown, and attempts to drown their nervousness and anxiety in bottles of booze.

Imagine what it looks like on the other side? The return to normal. Where you can step outside without fear or a face mask. This is not the stuff of fantasy. It can be a reality, but only if you’re willing to take the next step. Roll up your sleeve. Get vaccinated.

There’s an old saying, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” and the journey to end the pandemic begins with putting others ahead of ourselves and doing the right thing like so many other Americans have done. Get vaccinated. After all, the life it could save may be as close as the person sitting next to you.

Get informed at getvaccineanswers.org.