The debate on imposing a second nation lockdown over the coronavirus crisis is detached from both facts and figures. It's time to admit the simple truth: under certain circumstances, life is measure with money and no – we are not really willing to save lives at any cost.
We, as a society, weigh the cost against the risk on many issues on a daily basis, and we let's face it – we are willing to sacrifice the "few" when their lives cost "too much money."
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The drugs included in the health services basket do not presume to prolong the lives of all terminally ill patients; Israel's road infrastructure is a compromise on "maximum safety" not "absolute safety," and so on and so forth.
The Finance Ministry believes another lockdown would cost the economy between 15 and 20 billion shekels ($4.3-$5.7 billion). That is not an exaggeration and it is why Finance Minister Israel Katz vehemently opposes the move.
Those pushing the demagogic statement purporting that "saving lives is worth any investment" have no idea what they are talking about. In this case, over-investing in corona patients means favoring them over other patients, or in other words – prioritizing one life over another.
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