How much of our privacy rights and civil liberties will we be willing to give up in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic? After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Americans showed they were willing to allow these basic rights to erode—a little here, a little there—in exchange for safety.
The coronavirus is an even more insidious threat than terrorism. It has no agenda, respects no borders, and preys on the old and the sick. Successfully beating back this virus may require further erosion of these basic rights in a democracy. But this time, working hand-in-hand with government to monitor our behaviors and restrict our movements, could be some of America’s biggest companies.
