BERLIN — The Austrian government has ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people starting at midnight last night to combat rising coronavirus infections.
The move prohibits unvaccinated people 12 and older from leaving their homes except for basic activities such as working, grocery shopping, going for a walk — or getting vaccinated.
“It’s our job as the government of Austria to protect the people,” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told reporters in Vienna on Sunday. “Therefore we decided that starting Monday (today) ... there will be a lockdown for the unvaccinated.”
The lockdown affects about 2 million people in the Alpine country of 8.9 million, according to APA news agency.
The lockdown will initially last for 10 days and police will go on patrol to check people outside to make sure they are vaccinated, Schallenberg said, adding that additional forces will be assigned to the patrols.
Unvaccinated people can be fined up to 1,450 euros ($1,660) if they violate the lockdown.
Austria has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe: only around 65% of the total population is fully vaccinated.
Schallenberg also called on people who have been vaccinated to get their booster shot, saying that otherwise “we will never get out of this vicious circle.”
Schallenberg said the police would conduct spot checks to force compliance.
Commentary
There is no way in the world that this draconian measure in Austria will end in 10-days. It won’t end on November 26. Just watch.
Governments locking people in their homes over vaccination status is deeply troubling and violates more profound human rights. Such action; such segregation becomes a fertile breeding ground for the type of radicalism we have seen over the last two centuries.
This is a big step beyond turning away unvaccinated folks from restaurants and bars. Will we destroy our world in order to “save” it? Picture it. “Papers please.” In Austria.
We’ve seen far too much government abuse over the centuries to justify such a heavy-handed tactic. No amount of benevolence or good intentions will make me comfortable with government agents going up to citizens and demanding to see their paperwork. On the streets. In the park. Outside or inside their house of worship.
Can vaccinated individuals be infected with and spread Covid? Yes. Extensive studies (such as Israel), reveal that vaccinated people can get, carry and die from Covid (called breakthrough cases). So why aren’t they being ordered into lockdown as well?
I think you know the answer.
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“While earthly kingdoms rule by the ascendancy of physical power, Christ is to banish every carnal weapon, every instrument of coercion. His kingdom was to be established to uplift and ennoble fallen humanity” (4BC, 1171.5)