An obsession with “safetyism” has underpinned Australia’s response to COVID-19, which has seen state governments readily deploy public health restrictions to contain the virus at the expense of all else—a move that has garnered increasing global attention, according to a psychiatrist. Tanveer Ahmed, an author and clinical psychiatrist, says Australia’s low COVID-19 infection and death…

Commentary As many observers have noted, staying safe has become a religion. “Safetyism,” as it is sometimes called, like all religions, places what it values—in this case, being safe—above other values. Safetyism explains the willingness of Americans to give up their most cherished values—including liberty—in the name of safety for the last year and a…