That's the rub, isn't it? If the public health "authorities" have been shown to be absolutely incompetent, let alone lying and wrong, then the "your decisions affect other people..." arguments tend to lose validity because NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. Fauci told the country that masks were not necessary...and then admitted he lied to preserve supplies for health care workers. A noble lie but a lie none the less. Credibility cost was/is huge. Ivermectin is just the latest example...

As I think Taibbi is arguing (acknowledging his focus on censorship and the exchange of ideas), if we lived in a society that respected its members as free and capable, we could discuss these issues and find solutions.

We don't live in a society that respects its members.