I actually understand the thinking here by a lot of older people. I noticed you got a comment about ageism. But I disagree. Life is only valuable to those who still want to live it, regardless of age. I can’t blame someone in their 90s for wanting to be out and about while they still can and I don’t consider this throwing their life away or devaluing it. I think people’s attitudes and fear around this have more to do with whether or not they fear death rather than age prejudice.

That said, even though the virus has killed the aged disproportionately, it does kill the young as well. The aged can spread the virus to others just as well as any other group. So it’s not like you’re just taking your own chances for any of us. That’s not going to change. So, glad to hear your dad is walking the middle ground there and trying to protect others.

Further, viruses can be tricky and underhanded little beasts. Any unknown virus requires an abundance of caution and prudence of thought and action. Viruses can linger in the body and do damage years after the initial infection. For example, nobody dies of chicken pox but shingles is debilitating and painful. Shingles is so notorious, the word “shingles” gives people the heebie-jeebies.

While it’s unlikely something on that order will happen because this virus is in the Coronavirus family, the fact is we just don’t know. It’s not behaving like other “common flu” viruses in a lot of ways.

I read an article years ago that theorized how a disease may have led to expanded brain capacity in early hominids. I can’t reference it because it was so long ago, but it was an interesting read. In that case the disease was thought to be devastating but led to something evolutionarily advantageous. The reverse could be true as well. A milder disease could lead to something evolutionarily disadvantageous. My mind keeps drifting back to that genetic study every time I hear about the increasing log of neurological problems in Covid-19 patients.

This virus could change us as any virus or bacteria can since we share space and swap genetic material. Seems prudent to limit the spread as much as possible to keep a handle on it until we know. Especially considering how much of an aberration it is compared to other similar viruses.