Free to Choose: Personal Responsibility

Open Letter to Canadians

September 6, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Red Deer – Mountain View, AB

“Put on your mask, it’s the responsible thing to do.” “Do the right thing, get your shot and protect your family and your community.” How often have you heard these phrases over the past 18+ months?

Truth is, how one individual protects the health care system might be entirely different than how someone else might do so. We are all unique. Blanket health mandates are ignorant of this fact.

Take myself for example. I have spent time in the hospital requiring both oxygen and steroids in order to combat severe asthmatic episodes. I have been transported in an ambulance as a result of an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting.

What would you suggest is the rational response to these potentially life-threating events? How should I avoid having similar medical outcomes in the future? Being allergic to grass, hay, animals, bee stings and various other contributing factors that are largely out of my control, I really only have one option.

Personal responsibility.

It would not be rational to ask my neighbours to remove their lawns or not have pets in the neighbourhood. I can’t ask farmers to stop harvesting in the fall months. I certainty can’t avoid bees altogether or advocate for banning bee hives. My personal risk in these areas should not be an impediment to the way other people live their lives or operate their businesses. The risk is mine to own.

So instead, I seek to be proactive with my health. I avoid situations that I know could cause me to have allergic reactions, impact my breathing or result in anaphylactic incidents. I can’t eliminate all of the risk but I can eliminate it to the point where I am comfortable living my life without fear.

The same applies to COVID. Take personal responsibility and go live your life. You’ve only got one.

Sincerely,

Jared Pilon

Libertarian Party Candidate for Red Deer – Mountain View, AB