Life Is About Taking Risks.

The Biggest Risk Is Not Taking One. The Pandemic, and mask mandates, and the scientific uncertainty over the past year has highlighted the preoccupation with avoiding risk. Risk is part of life. Each of us judges what risks are worth taking. Freedom to take risks is essential to a happy, joyous life. When someone dies because of the taking of a risk, we say: "he knew the risks". Life in a bubble, being so risk averse that we tend to stay in one place, and do nothing, is no life at all. The Stoic philosophers teach us to ignore the actions of others, and to concentrate on our own actions. If the collective other wants to avoid the risk of disease by wearing a mask, even though the risk is small, that is their right. The U.S. wouldn't be what it is if our founding fathers were risk averse. We could be killed in an instant just walking out the front door, or driving a car. Growing up, my brothers and I used to play in a creek and catch minnows in glass jars. It turns out the creek contained all sorts of interesting things. The science tells us that exposure to germs in mud and dirt is necessary for kids to develop strong immune systems. Each person should get to decide what level of risk they are willing to take, and still find a happy life. Reasonable risk makes life worth living. Get vaccinated or not. Your call. Wear a mask or not. Your call. Stay in the house and never go out. Your call. Sooner or later, something is going to get you. How are you going to spend the journey?