“How much is a human life worth? That’s the real discussion that no one is admitting openly or freely. But we should.” ~ Andrew Cuomo, NY State Governor
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s I’ve watched his daily briefings on the day-to-day struggles of New York to handle the Coronavirus Pandemic, I’ve become a fan of the NY State Governor, Andrew Cuomo. My impressions of him are he tells the truth even when it’s hard to hear. He admits when he doesn’t know something and if he was previously wrong. He places people and needs over politics and sings the praises of others for their efforts, sacrifices, and successes. The antithesis of our current President.
I hesitate to write this post because the subject matter is so severe and I fear I won’t do it justice. But my thoughts keep returning to Governor Cuomo’s words above.
I believe most of us understand from here forward is going to be a balancing act dealing with the coronavirus pandemic while also restarting parts of the economy. To tip the scale too much on one side will result in thousands of more virus-related deaths and tilted to the other side results in suffering and deaths due to deteriorating economic, physical, and mental conditions. There are no easy choices here and no real winners.
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I’ve watched and listened to those who are demonstrating for full opening and start working again with business as “usual,” with the argument some will die but that this virus is no different than the annual flu or any other typical societal dangers that cause deaths. While many of these demonstrators dance to a paid political agenda, their arguments will sway others.
I can’t help but think of the Star Trek “The Wrath of Khan” movie where Spock’s logic was “The Needs of the Many Outweigh the Needs of the Few” as he sacrificed himself saving others. If you use this logic, coronavirus victims are the few sacrificed to the broader economic needs of the rest of society. However, later in the Star Trek series, “The search for Spock,” the crew sacrificed many to save Spock, and when asked why Captain Kurt explained, “Because the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.” When Spock was later asked about this reversal of logic, he said “humans are sometimes illogical” to which his human mother answers, “They are, indeed!”
When we struggle for people against hard logic, we demonstrate the qualities most valued as being human. I wonder how those who now argue and demonstrate for opening things quickly, claiming the needs of the many must-have priority, would proceed if it was preordained the few sacrificed would be their parents, their grandparents, or their close friends?
Governor Cuomo’s answer to his own question is that he considers human life to be priceless.
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The photos here were all taken in Spain. I felt being dark, moody, and in black and white supported the subject of this post. But please also notice there is light shining through the clouds in each of them.
Take care, be safe, and stay well.
I admit to being a bit lost on how to even formulate any type of position on the situation the world is in. I know I am 100% behind what the scientists tell us, and the numbers need to come down before any assurance of “being safe” can be made. But then to what end? We all take risks every time we choose to go out on the road, where someone else’s careless actions could result in our own death or that of someone we are traveling with and care about. Can the only safety be assured when there is a vaccine? Even the antibody tests are still under study. Do restaurants and the like stay closed for a year? Do schools stay closed? Maybe people never shake hands again?
I find it hard to be completely objective on my reaction because it is hard for me to gauge how much I have been influenced by the severity of response and constant 24/7 news about this thing. I suppose in general we are waiting for a respected body or expert to come out with a general assurance of risk that most people are willing to accept – whatever that means. I know it will be awhile. And then all it takes is a single case to be Patient Zero all over again. The “wait and see” aspect of this is pretty unnerving.
These are great photos BTW. Love the ominous mood, rich blacks and certainly fitting.
I’m currently in a similar place as you on all this. It is a little reassuring to hear I’m not struggling alone.
It seems unless there is some break-through on a preventive vaccine or treatment the coronavirus infections will continue throughout the population until at least a majority of people have been infected. Being over 65 that scenario sounds grim. I only hope that having it once provides some protection against being reinfected. No one’s been here before so we’re discovering as we go and there are some terribly hard livelihood and life-threatening situations to address. Day-by-day!
Thanks on the photos!
That is why I admire leaders like Governor Cuomo which I forgot to remark on in my initial comment. They are really handed an impossible situation, but they take guidance from experts and what the science tells them, and act on the situation as it unfolds. Like you, I admire his straight-talk style. He will pay compliments where warranted (even to the President) but also will not hesitate to criticize and speak up about things that are wrong. I truly appreciate that type of honest approach. I hope he continues to serve this country for a long time in whatever role.
Me too!! 👍
Wonderful photos. Wonderful thoughtful words. The struggle is real. The answers unclear.
Thank you, Howard. I love your brief and accurate synopsis, “The struggle is real. The answers unclear.” I would only perhaps add, “And the end is not yet in sight.” 😐
True. Unfortunately I suspect we are 1-2 years from ‘the end’.
Agreed!
First, these photos illustrate your words and the attached and surrounding emotions exceptionally well.
I’ve not been a regular viewer of Governor Cuomo’s briefings, but I have gained a good deal of respect for his candor and leadership. His state is the epicenter of the virus in this country and New York is fortunate to have him in that position. I only wish we could say the same of other places in the country.
I don’t remember the exact words, but someone recently described the leadership dilemma as something along the lines of “well-meaning people attempting to make the best choice between difficult options with limited information about something no one knows enough about.” Close enough – you get the idea.
The question of “how much is a life worth” is a difficult one at best. The best answer to that question depends on which Pandora’s Box you open first. Or last. Answering that one life is “priceless” is commendable, but if that is the case, shouldn’t we be doing everything possible to avoid other preventable deaths? If so, we should outlaw all dangerous habits and behaviors. Personal choice is in another box. Everyone should be able to determine his or her level of risk and act accordingly, but does your choice to wear or not wear a mask take precedence over my right to not get your germs? And then the economic costs are huge. The government programs to help those who have lost their jobs are a drop in the bucket for those who are struggling to pay rent and buy food with no promise of when or if their jobs will return. And that assumes that the money will go to the right people, which is questionable.
A certain number of people die from many things each year. The Coronavirus is just one of them. I’d love to see the amount of time, attention and money being thrown at this virus spent to eliminate all or most of them, but that will never happen. The trillions of dollars being spent to prop up our economy – at unknown cost to our futures – could be spent on countless other things – ending our dependence on fossil fuels to name one example – that would ultimately save even more lives than this virus will take. Unfortunately, we are in a world that reacts to the short-term crisis and foists the long-term crisis off on someone else.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer to this dilemma. We each have to make a choice as to which experts we are going to pin our hopes to, hope that we have the right leaders and hope that the decisions they make are the ones that work out the best. It’s too late to make second guesses or point fingers about what has or hasn’t happened. So hopefully we can look forward, get through this, and use the lessons we’ve learned to be better prepared for the next time.
Thank you for your comments about the photos, Tom. This is a massive conundrum. I believe there are right scientific answers and choices, just not one’s that don’t incur some level of cost. The world has changed and our future will be different for it.
Sorry for writing a blog post on your blog post, Earl!
A great post, Earl, and I love the contrast in the images. A good metaphor for this discussion. I will only say that the idea that we have to choose one or the other – saving the maximum number of lives or the economy – is a a false choice. And comparing this health crisis to other more common ways of killing ourselves is a bit of the old “straw man” argument. It doesn’t work. We are where we are. Opening the economy can only br done in areas where hospitalizations and number of deaths are statistically declining. You can’t “save” the economy if you allow the number of infections to explode. If you attempt to do that you risk not only the economy but our basic infrastructure as well. This is not a hard question.
Thanks, Paul. Nice to see you here! You raise important and valid points. What you describe as the only safe sane way to open is I believe what science supports. But, then I woke up this morning to news the CDC had prepared a 17-page detailed science-based guideline for businesses, schools, churches, etc. on opening safely and that it’s being blocked by Trump’s administration. Of course, as goes the political breeze so goes Trump so by this afternoon it may be a completely different story or at least spun that way.
You guys need to hang on to Cuomo. 😉
You know, I’m a registered Democrat but I’ve never had strong feelings either way about Governor Cuomo. Until now. I think if November’s election were held today – and he was on the ballot – he’d win in a walk. Right now he’s the only real voice opposing Trump. And today he said just about the same as I did above. We must be listening to the same people! Oh, did you hear that Trump’s personal valet has tested positive for Covid 19?
I did see the news about the valet. Not to make light of it and I’m not sure what a personal valet’s duties are, but COVID-19 might be a nice break after what he’s probably seen and had to put up with. Plus, that’s some quick Karma.
I heard on MSNBC that one of his duties was to deliver Trump’s meals….
Love the images and your post. I’ve also loved the comments. Not sure I can add much to the conversation. Something I’ve struggled with with many years now is how many choices our culture, including me, make based on finances. Most corporations, governments and even religious institutions make money the deciding factor. The value of human life, and actually all of creation, seem to have a back seat. I have no answers but hope I will make future decisions in my life based on the value of life, how I live it and how I hope others will live it.
Thank you, Monte. The point I was trying to convey is in most choices it’s seldom absolutely one thing or the other, in this case, health or economy. There is a cost to choosing 100% of either and the only sensible course is to use the best tools you have, in this case, science, to plot a reasonable path forward. Paul Maxim did an excellent job in his comments on clarifying how thinking we must choose one or the other is a false choice. It does seem the almighty dollar has been given top billing recently and I believe in this case perception is reality. I’m with you in hoping we’ll see that change. Your voice is always a positive addition to any conversation. Take care and watch out for those car hood raccoons! :-)