While I don't think it's a conspiracy, I am convinced that the civil unrest was directly tied to the lockdowns.

Floyd's death is the acute cause for the protests, but we've had these protests before and they were much milder.

Add mass unemployment, economic uncertainty, closed bars, closed parks, shelter-in-place orders, zero entertainment, no sports, etc., and you suddenly have an explosive situation.

It also means a lot of people don't have to worry about missing work to attend protests. In a way, we may be seeing the actual, truthful level of outrage that has always been inflamed by such events, when the expression of that outrage is not held back economic concerns.

I agree. That isn't to diminish the protests at all or say they're unnecessary, but I think COVID has added to the fervor. People feel cooped up and on edge right now

The user you're replying to has a point.

Now it's stay-at-home time. People think: I wish to go visit my friend, but no, it's not allowsd due the quarantine. I fish I attended a concert, a meetup, a conference, etc — no luck. The tiredness and tension grows.

Now there is a case when a lot of people say: No, I can't miss this! I must be there and show my support! IG there is one case when i'm willing to break the social distancing rules, it's this one.

So more people who have accumulated the desire to be out now have a good cause to go out and demonstrate.

It's what happens when someone is privileged and insulated from nearly all consequences for their words and actions.

dang works hard to ensure that HN is a safe space for white nationalists and other bigots.

posts like that exist specifically because dang thinks they are more important than having a community that welcomes minorities.