When is it ok to be told what to do?

Published in El Pais, 9 June 2020.

With the virus comes a lot of regulations on how we should live our lives to lower the spread. While speaking with my friends in different countries I am finding a key difference in regulations, more so how strict they are. In Argentina for example, people are only permitted to go outside to get food, healthcare or if you are deemed an essential worker, your job. Columbians are only allowed to go outside once a week for groceries, with your day based on your ID and Bolivians could only have one family member go out to get food. In my country, Canada, we are asked to stay inside, not told, asked. These same 3 countries make masks mandatory in many situations, Argentinians need one the moment they leave their homes while others make it mandatory for public transportation and shops. Again, in Canada we are explained the benefits of wearing a mask and some private stores are making them a requirement but on the whole, it is not mandatory.

Why is it that these three countries are being told what to do but mine simply asks nicely? I would love to say it is because that Canadians are doing such an awesome job following guidelines laid out by the health department but unfortunately that is not the case. There have been many instances of Canadian parks being too crowded and many more having large private gatherings in violation of the lockdown. Many are also claiming to go out almost daily despite being told to stay home. As for masks, the recommendation seems to fall on deaf ears as my observation finds most do not wear them.

The truth may well be in each country’s political history. Canada has been a democracy for over 150 years (yes, we have a Queen but her powers are mostly symbolic) which is a long time compared to some of the other countries mentioned. Argentina has only been a stable democracy since 1983 with the country having 6 governments overthrown by the military since 1930. While Bolivia is technically a democracy, one only has to look at their last election to see it has many problems.

The simple fact is that some people are used to being told what to do more than others which is why rules in some countries are merely recommendations in others, with the cooperation of its citizens having little to do with how these rules are governed. I personally enjoy my freedom but even free countries have rules to follow. It is leading me to wonder if people are not willingly following guidelines that are meant for everyone’s safety (including their own)is it time to make it mandatory?