Nope. When we have almost 8 billion of us, it is much less valuable. Also, just because by law all lives are equal, that doesn't mean practically they are in a pandemic. The virus is choosy. The PM of Sweden has 21 years of expected time left. 4 times less than a 5 year old's. Most of Sweden's dead were OVER their life expectancy by 3 years. I call that a good life.
Old farts have earned that right to be expensive on the health system that's poorly managed (reason why its a burden). In fact, in some sub-cultures within western culture...elderly are no more a burden on the health system as the young mainly because they are well respected and cared for by their younger generation. For example...Indigenous Americans. By the way, I was raised in "western culture"...the term "elder" has a special meaning within my culture...far beyond just being old. An elder has a symbolic connection to the past, and for their knowledge of traditional ways, teachings, stories and ceremonies. Also, never underestimate disease...they adapt very easily and often quickly. After many of the old become sick or die, whom do you think disease will turn to next ? Thus, there's many sides to the equation. The most important side is disease itself. For example, look at the history of the Measles. Health systems almost eradicated it but its been slowly making a comeback via the young transmitting it to those much younger. It's during the crisis of the Measles when the term herd immunity was coined. Those small bacteria / viruses are more of a survivor than humans. wrbtrader
Most cultures in society disagrees with you no matter how many times you say nope. The PM is in charge...not the 5 year old. wrbtrader
When it comes to any hospital over capacity and need to triage, the old will be at the back of the queue for covid treatment.
Actually, most policies in western culture...its first come first serve and the severity of the illness / injury in many cases. Elderly person that came in hours earlier with Covid-19 will obviously be treated prior to some young person that came hours later with Covid-19. Seriously, it doesn't work like that when hospitals are at capacity. One of my brother's is a doctor, sister a nurse, girlfriend an emergency room nurse and I myself have had several medical ethics classes in college...all in a western culture. Now, if you and some old fart walked in or ambulance in at the same time to a hospital @ capacity...in some cases...hospitals look at the insurance policies. Simply, an elderly person with VIP insurance policy will win in a tie breaker. That's an unfortunately aspect of life in western cultures at some hospitals. wrbtrader
When life expectancy was 40. Some one who lived 70 was rare and valuable. Now 70 years old is common. Nobody cares much if the older population halves in size, expect maybe when it is an older relative. And even then, i know a few young people who are just waiting for Grandma to pass so they can collect some inheritance and get on the property ladder themselves.
Norway and Finland together has more than Sweden's population. Similar culture, geography, food habits etc. # of deaths due to COVID Sweden - 5041 Norway + Finland - 619 "Swedish Policy Factor" = 8.14 No evidence of Sweden outperforming economically than Norway or Finland. Sweden has not made much progress in the so called "herd immunity" stupidity either. Wingnuts in US now support a socialist country with universal healthcare as the model they want to follow in public health policy. #KidsInCages; #grandmaUnderground; #Trump2020
As stated earlier...some people respect life. Others do not. A fact will remain in most situations...the old farts are usually in charge of governments and policy making. Therefore, depending what part of the western culture you're a member...nobody cares while others see that most do care. wrbtrader
The republican respect for life has a weird Head and Shoulders pattern to it. - Left Shoulder - eggs - Head - "productive" part of the society - 20 to 60 year olds - Right shoulder - dead defeated folks like confederate army generals Only the head and shoulders matter, everything else is noise
The old farts being in power has little do with it, even if the goverment was full of 40 year olds the result would be same. Young or old, politicians dont really care much about Covid wiping out the old in care homes. They only care about what the media and opposition will say about it. The media and opposition don't really care either, they just use the deaths as an excuse to score points against the politicians in power.