It varies based on local legislation, so in some places paying ransoms is banned but it's by no means universal. It's totally valid to be against paying ransoms wherever possible, but it's not entirely black and white in some situations.
For example, what if a hospital gets ransomed? Say they serve an area not served by other facilities, and if they can't get back online quickly people will die? Sounds dramatic, but critical public services get ransomed all the time and there are undeniable real world consequences. Recovery from ransomware can cost significantly more than a ransom payment if you're not prepared. It can also take months to years to recover, especially if you're simultaneously fighting to evict a persistent (annoyed, unpaid) threat actor from your environment.
For the record I don't think ransoms should be paid in most scenarios, but I do think there is some nuance to consider here.
When I got mine in they gave me local anesthesia, and it was still the most painful experience of my life. Turns out rummaging around in your innards produces a type of pain unlike anything I've ever felt. I truly can't imagine how awful it must be without any anesthesia.