On the Problem of Being Denied Mutual Aid for Falling Short of the Critical-Illness Standard

People often call the Commune a scam because they were refused mutual aid for not meeting the critical-illness standard. This is unfair.

1. When the Commune refuses aid according to the critical-illness definition agreed upon in advance, it is merely honoring that agreement, not deliberately making things difficult for anyone. Everyone is treated the same. All mutual aid cases at the Commune must be publicly disclosed, so it is impossible to apply different standards to different people.

2. Is the definition of critical illness unreasonable in any way? Certainly it is. But because it was agreed upon in advance, it cannot be adjusted on the fly when a case arises.

3. KangAi Commune has critical-illness mutual aid societies and moderate-illness mutual aid societies. If you do not meet the critical-illness definition but perhaps meet the moderate-illness definition, you can still receive mutual aid as long as you joined the moderate-illness mutual aid society in advance—though you must also bear the cost-sharing of the societies you have joined.

4. The critical-illness standard is clear and quantified on the basis of medical science. Whether it is met is essentially unambiguous; there is very little room for vagueness, and members may raise questions about it.