At a recent interview, Mr. Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services, was shown images of crowded bars and boardwalks in regions where COVID-10 restrictions are being lifted and he said in response: “I think in any individual instance you’re going to see people doing things that are irresponsible. That’s part of the freedom we have here in America.” He seems to mean that in America we are free to behave irresponsibly. This is the “right” to which demonstrators are referring when they say that stay-at-home-orders and mandatory wearing of masks deny them their constitutional rights. What they mean is their supposed right to “do what I damn well please” without interference from “big government,” concern for the welfare of others, or even basic morality.

Now the list of things that Americans cannot do and of things they are required to do is, in fact, quite lengthy; a minority complain, but most cooperate. But for some reason in this stupid noncompliance with requirements of masks and social distancing American freedom is said to assert itself, though it is not freedom but licentiousness, it is petulance, negligence and indifference to the common good. In fact, the legal terms criminal negligence and depraved indifference could describe the behavior of the many who refuse to protect themselves and others by their arrogant disobedience to law and mindless amorality.

As things are now, “freedom” and “liberty” are like the red, white, and blue bunting on automobile lots or parade floats — they flap in the wind but have no real meaning. I think Americans, especially American politicians, need to develop a more refined understanding of freedom and liberty if these terms are to have any wholesome meaning in our society.