Common sense: I think most of us agree that it does not seem to be so common anymore. There might be many reasons for that including that our children are not really taught to think independently and critically at our institutes of higher education. We are also indoctrinated not to question those who are held out as authorities on some subject, something we are seeing right now with the Kung Flu. The politicians and media have taken more control of our lives in society because they denigrate our ability to use common sense and ask legitimate questions or come to conclusions based upon what we see and what we experience.

In addition to the columns and podcasts that I have published here, I've put up several social media posts that question Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx. My main criticism of them is they have not told us why the coronavirus is different from SARS, the flu, or pneumonia. If they could tell us why we have to resort to these drastic measures to prevent the spread of this virus when we never did so before, I believe the American people would not need to be forced by the government to close their business or quarantine. But they have not been able to articulate a reason that they believe this virus might be more contagious than others we face every year.

In response to one of my social media posts several people responded that we do not have the medical background or knowledge to really question these experts. I completely and wholeheartedly disagree. One of those who opined that we cannot rely upon the average citizen to make an informed decision is an attorney. I pointed out to him that every day in this world the average person without a medical background is asked to make decisions based upon information presented to them by medical experts in medical malpractice trials or automobile injury trials. Those people sitting on those juries, and I speak from personal knowledge having been involved in civil litigation for over 10 years, are the very people that he said had no ability to make an accurate decision because of their lack of education. Yet they do so every day yet. While they do not always make the right decision, much more often than not they do reach the right conclusion especially when they are given complete and accurate information.

I believe in the ability of the average person to make an informed decision and do what is right for them and their families. We have seen the country of Sweden not impose restrictions like America yet their infection and death rate is almost identical as a percentage of population to what it is in America. We have large companies such as Amazon operating warehouses or Walmart and other large retailers staying open where people congregate in groups larger than five, yet we are not seeing the wildfire of outbreak in those conditions that the medical experts tell us we should be seeing. And especially in places run by Amazon and Ford, they are practicing the recommendations put out by the CDC for keeping their employees and customer safe. And that is basically providing PPE, continually cleaning, and avoiding people gathering in places like lunchrooms. Each of these employees is also tested for a fever before they come in to work and if a fever is detected they are sent for testing and then home.

My common sense brain along with yours I imagine wonders why that cannot work for small businesses or schools? Why can't our downtown restaurants and our retail stores engage in the CDC's best practices just like the big companies? This would greatly reduce the likelihood that they will not survive, and it will keep people employed which is important not just for economic reasons but also for mental health reasons. So far none of these so-called experts that seem to have a monopoly on the national conversation, at least as far as the media and politicians are concerned, cannot explain why a big box store is any different from a mom-and-pop store.

It would be the subject of another column as to why our political leaders are ignoring their own common sense instincts, but if you want to know the most likely reason that they are, just read Dr. Birx's comments about the awesome power they wield over us and how she never thought it would happen in real life. In the meantime, do not ignore your ability to analyze the information and come to a conclusion. And even if you believe that your voice doesn't matter, take the 60 seconds necessary to leave our political leaders a voicemail or send an email telling them that they are wrong. The future of our country as a free market economy and a Republic depends upon it.