A common argument against lockdowns is that they restrict freedom. On this view, lockdowns might be effective in protecting public health, but their impact on freedom is purely negative. This article challenges that view. It argues that while lockdowns restrict freedom, so too do viruses. Since viruses restrict freedom and lockdowns protect us from viruses, lockdowns can protect us from the harmful effects that viruses have on freedom. The problem we face is not necessarily freedom versus public health. Sometimes it is freedom itself—or its value or distribution—that provides reason for lockdowns.

中文翻译：

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自由与病毒

反对封锁的一个常见论点是它们限制了自由。根据这种观点，封锁可能有效保护公众健康，但对自由的影响纯粹是负面的。本文对这一观点提出了挑战。它认为，虽然封锁限制了自由，但病毒也是如此。由于病毒限制了自由，而封锁保护我们免受病毒侵害，因此封锁可以保护我们免受病毒对自由的有害影响。我们面临的问题不一定是自由与公共卫生。有时，是自由本身——或其价值或分配——为封锁提供了理由。