It probably looks to outsiders like US citizens have near-infinite viable choices about where to live, but the pandemic is laying bare the unique and sometimes life-threatening weaknesses in each state’s government: from racial injustice to lack of critical infrastructure.

And as we say in software, sadly, despite the loss of life these issues are a feature not a bug: the Constitution was written with the famous phrase “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness” but in practice honors a state’s rights to put life and liberty in jeopardy.

So it’s a function of privilege - do you get to choose where you live? Not everyone does. Lots of well-off folks will think, “Well, move.” With no money in the bank account how could you? Many people suffering in Texas couldn’t get out even if the desire was there.

Why can’t we hold states accountable when they fail their citizens en masse? Why can’t we set better baselines of care for life and liberty? The current system seems like a contradiction in terms.