Final Word from Monday, July 20, 2020

One of the traditional rules for defining words is that a word should not be used to define itself, otherwise there is an endless loop of indefinition. In an order issued on Fri., Health Min. Adam Vojtěch wrote, "The threshold for an epidemic of certain diseases is not exactly known. The main criterion for whether there is an epidemic or not in such cases is the epidemic correlation of individual cases of the disease." In other words, an epidemic is whatever Vojtěch and his epidemiologists say it is. The lack of a clear definition for a covid-19 epidemic makes it possible for them to sign off on bans, restrictions and shutdowns that, by any other definition, would be arbitrary and bordering on tyranny. Why does a summer camp with 235 kids and a few covid cases have to shut down, whereas Agrofert, Bombardier, Iveco, Varroc and other companies with a similar number do not? Is the "epidemic correlation of individual cases" by definition lower for companies with lobbying influence? [ Czech Republic minister ANO Lighting Systems ]

Glossary of difficult words

arbitrary - based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system;

loop - a structure, series, or process, the end of which is connected to the beginning;

indefinition - a condition or state of lacking meaning;

threshold - a level, rate or amount at which something comes into effect;

to sign off on - to give one's approval to.

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