Governor Baker Reiterates Testing & Treatment Are Voluntary

The phrases "increased testing" and "expanded testing" have become quite common in discussions about the governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 22nd, during his daily press conference, Governor Baker was asked about whether testing was voluntary. His message was clear. Testing and treatment are optional and that no one is being forced to do anything. The State has made testing widely available, and anyone who is experiencing symptoms should coordinate with their doctor to determine if they should be tested.

This principle is fundamental, and could prove to be even more important as future treatments are developed that are intended to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. Baker’s response when questioned on this topic should also provide some level of comfort to anyone that is concerned about the prospect of mandated testing and medicine here in Massachusetts.

Voluntary compliance is a critical component for maintaining public trust as well as the perception of legitimacy from the people. A quick look at the various situations playing out in States across the country tells the story of what happens when Governors attempt to implement measures heavy-handedly. This general approach, coupled with mandates that residents view as unreasonable, and void of any logic or legitimacy, has added fuel to fire of the protests and rallies we have all been seeing and hearing so much about in recent weeks.

In contrast, here in Massachusetts, Baker has taken a much different approach, and the people of the Commonwealth have overwhelmingly complied with the advisories and suggestions that he has issued. Pushback has been very limited, and I suspect that so long as things remain voluntary, thereby protecting the underlying freedom of choice, that pushback is likely to remain limited.

Baker openly addressed the voluntary nature of his advisories from the beginning. During his press conference on March 23rd, when the advisory was first announced, Baker stated, “I do not believe I can, nor should order U.S. citizens to be confined to their homes for days on end. It doesn’t make sense from a public health point of view, and it’s not realistic.”

Governors in some other States have publicly made similar comments that acknowledge the same underlying principle of voluntarism and also the unrealistic nature of enforcement. On April 16th, during his daily press conference, Governor Cuomo of New York commented that “I don’t even have the ability to enforce these measures on any scale if people said, ‘I’m not willing to do it.’”

The Massachusetts testing program, which relies on self identification and voluntary testing, has received acknowledgement and praise from many, and most recently, even got a shout out from former President Barack Obama! It is important that we apply the fundamental principles that have made testing a success, to treatment and medicine that may come down the road.

The people of the Commonwealth have widely responded with love and voluntary compliance. There are always exceptions, and there are always people that fall on the far ends of the spectrum. It is important that we don’t let these outliers influence policy in such a way that punishes the masses by stripping away the voluntary nature of these programs, or people's freedom of choice.

Embrace the voluntary nature of all of this. It has been working.