Let's Try Another Tack

  "The reason I would like a national lockdown is because I don't want to die of this disease.

 Uncle Ken seems to be saying that the only alternative to a lockdown is certain death.

These statements are not equivalent.

Maybe not, but let's look at it a different way:

1.  We have not had a national lockdown.

2.  Uncle Ken has not died of the disease.

3.  Therefore, a national lockdown is not necessary to keep Uncle Ken from dying of the disease.