What is freedom in a pandemic?

Since Monday, we are again on lockdown. This time, the whole Austria is furious. Vaccinated people are angry with the unvaccinated ones, who let the virus circulate, and with the government, which had promised "freedom and normality" for the vaccinated. Unvaccinated people are angry with the government, which has discriminated and segregated them, even if healthy (and tested). People working in hospitals, especially in the ICUs, are angry with the government, which has not improved their working conditions and has failed to contain the pandemic. Scientists are furious because their call has not been timely heard and it might be already too late.

Theatres, and opera and concert halls are closed again, even the strong 2G+ rule (vaccinated or recovered, + tested) couldn't prevent this decision. Museums are closed. We just had the time to enjoy a couple of fantastic openings. Generic shops, where the 2G rule applied, also cannot stay open. Thousands of employees are sent again in "Kurzarbeit" (with reduced working time and salary) and many others are forced to work from home (whenever possible). Christmas markets had the time to open and welcome some guests, before being closed, perhaps until after Christmas. This is the situation in Austria, but it is not much different in Germany. Virtuous nations, like (surprisingly) Italy and Portugal might reach the same point soon. Another winter closed at home, leaving the tiny flat only to get some food and some work done, seeing friends and family on a screen. In addition, a new mutated version of the virus is circulating, possibly jeopardising the effect of the vaccine. Only two years ago, all this could have seemed the plot of a bad movie.

Honestly, I'm not angry. However, I'm having some hard time trying to understand those, who are demonstrating for their "lost" freedom. Those claiming that the vaccination is a free choice (only if you decide not to get it), who don't realise that their choice can endanger the freedom (and the health) of others. Those, who have no idea what jail is, what does it mean not having the possibility to write and march for an ideal, what confinement is, etc. Basically, people who say "freedom" without knowing the meaning of the word. As scientist, I don't understand people believing in terrorizing news published on secretive website, with no control of the sources, but mistrusting scientific evidence, published on peer-reviewed journals, from independent labs and research centers. Being skeptical and critical is fine, as well as being open to alternative points of view, but why is such a skepticism applied only to science? No surprise, we are in a place full of "Heilpraktikern" (non traditional practitioners). We scientists (also those like me, not working in medicine) are partly guilty, we didn't learn to communicate science in an efficient way. Our language is not understood and, when we try to explain, we are accused of secrecy. 

I feel disappointed and frustrated by the situation. Two years of "half-life" lost and no hopes of a full recovery. We look the others with suspect. We trust none. We underrate our actual freedom, but can we call this "life"? What kind of human being will come out from this experience? Are we going back to the "homo homini lupus" mentality? Oh well, now I'm seriously worried.