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Comment by lp0_on_fire | Hacker News Reader

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lp0_on_fire·

> involuntary manslaughtering them

Oh please. The hyperbole is getting real old.

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Is it though? If it’s a personal choice, why is drunk driving banned, and why do we have seatbelt and helmet laws?

If you know that you feel sick, and haven’t been vaccinated, yet go to work at a nursing home and end up spreading a breakthrough infection that kills an immunocompromised resident, is that not manslaughter? How is it different from knowingly getting in a car when intoxicated, and then causing a deadly accident?

> If you know that you feel sick

Considering you can be contagious before you feel sick, I think the point is even more valid.

Comparing something completely in your control to a virus that you can still get even with the vaccine is inappropriate a best, disingenuous at worst.

You can crash your car even while sober. And you can arrive home safely even while drunk. You don't have "complete control" over whether you crash. But the responsible thing to do is exercise what control you do have. Yes you could catch and spread the virus even after vaccinated but it is still irresponsible to disregard this and risk the lives and livelihoods of others. It is a trivial request and the consequences of spreading the virus are non-trivial.

Drinking and driving is banned because it increases the probability of causing harm yourself and others.

Neglecting to get the vaccine is discouraged because it increases the probability of causing harm to yourself and others.

Exactly the connection I was helping OP to make. Indeed the parallels are obvious when phrased like this.

>and why do we have seatbelt and helmet laws?

I don't have the slightest idea. It would be like making sugar or alcohol illegal as it merely involves the person wearing the seatbelt or helmet.

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