Item — HN Reader

> But are those being ignored (not sure about the Amoeba bit)? Do we routinely mock those who say smoking is bad? Do we ignore traffic fatalities by ripping seat belts and air bags out of vehicles? Are autonomous vehicles widely derided as not useful?

The point is that we didn't ban smoking or driving. We did ban being close to other people.

2 comments

Not sure why you’re getting downvoted.

Not being close to other people is the most effective measure to stop this pandemic. Wearing a mask while sitting in a badly ventilated room with many others is considered high risk by most experts. While the lockdown let the infection numbers collapse the mask requirements showed little impact so far.

So banning being close is what happened and helped.

>The point is that we didn't ban smoking

Actually, we did. Especially in places where masks are currently required. When was the last time you could just light up a cigarette or cigar (or a joint for that matter) in a restaurant, bar, shop or other indoor venue?

You're allowed to smoke in your own house, but you're not allowed to have large gatherings in your own house.