The necessity of lockdowns during the pandemic

[Belle23]

I’m ok with the lockdown for now (no choice really lol), but I’m conflicted about the future. Locking a country down is not sustainable for a long period of time, but I also recognize the need to slow the spread. I know people say there needs to be adequate testing for the country to reopen, but how is adequate defined? That everyone gets tested regardless? What if I get tested on Monday and get infected on Tuesday? Or do I just get tested on my way in to work each day? I work for a large employer. Should I expect to be in line 30-60 mins to enter work each day? How long does this testing take place? Until there’s no more cases and/or they find a vaccine? What if the virus is seasonal or they can’t develop a vaccine? Do we have to get tested indefinitely or stay in lockdown indefinitely? What happens to the anti-vaccine people?

 

Sorry for all the questions, but I just wonder what exactly the plan is. We’re going to have to reopen the country at some point. And no, me wanting the county reopened as soon as we safely can doesn’t mean I don’t care about people’s lives. I’m high risk, so I know the seriousness of getting it. 

[BaileyB]

11 minutes ago, Belle23 said:

Sorry for all the questions, but I just wonder what exactly the plan is. We’re going to have to reopen the country at some point. And no, me wanting the county reopened as soon as we safely can doesn’t mean I don’t care about people’s lives. I’m high risk, so I know the seriousness of getting it. 

I’m really starting to believe that there will be periods when the country is open, and periods of restrictions, until there is a vaccine. Some infectious disease specialists believe that this virus will be seasonal, as other corona viruses. It will improve over the summer, with localized clusters of infections, but it will be back for us in the fall when kids go back to school, people come inside, and the weather gets cooler. Again, through the winter, we may see another spike with cold and flu season. 

The sad reality is, when restrictions are lifted life is unlikely to go back to normal. Sure, businesses will open but with new rules - they must observe social distancing guidelines. Restaurants may open, but in a reduced capacity. Theatres, sporting events, and other mass gatherings (not including the protests or trips to the beach 😂) will be the last thing to return. Many experts say this will be our new normal until 2021 or 2022. I can’t actually imagine - how will families cope if children are not in school? How will people cope financially? All the things we will not be able to do... It’s almost too much to imagine, but I do believe there is merit to this prediction if we do not develop the ability for mass testing and prompt contact tracing. 

[nittygritty]

I think in the future, it will be handled just like the flu is whether they ever come up with a vaccine or not. They are closer to figuring out which treatments work best to try for severe cases. Many people may have already had it and possibly built up some immunity to it. 

[Belle23]

1 hour ago, BaileyB said:

It’s almost too much to imagine, but I do believe there is merit to this prediction if we do not develop the ability for mass testing and prompt contact tracing. 

I get it  .. mass testing and prompt contact tracing is a very broad statement, though. Do you test each person once and see if they have it regardless of whether they’re symptomatic or not? Then only test them again only if they become symptomatic? Or do you get tested everyday somehow? Because what happens if you get tested on Monday and then get the virus on Tuesday but do not develop symptoms? You’d be spreading around unknowingly because your test on Monday said you didn’t have it and you didn’t know you got it from Jane on Tuesday. You know what I mean? Not trying to be difficult, just stating how difficult the challenges will be.   
 

If a vaccine is found, will kids be required to get it to attend school?

Edited April 22, 2020 by Belle23

[BaileyB]

Watching the news, and there are Americans protesting in large groups. One statement, “Our new normal does not mean that we will sacrifice our freedom for our safety.” And my personal favourite, I quoted it the other day - “Give me liberty or give me death!”

Darwin must just be laughing as he looks down upon us today... 

[BaileyB]

5 minutes ago, Belle23 said:

I get it  .. mass testing and prompt contact tracing is a very broad statement, though. Do you test each person once and see if they have it regardless of whether they’re symptomatic or not? Then only test them again only if they become symptomatic? Or do you get tested everyday somehow? Because what happens if you get tested on Monday and then get the virus on Tuesday but do not develop symptoms? You’d be spreading around unknowingly because your test on Monday said you didn’t have it and you didn’t know you got it from Jane on Tuesday. You know what I mean? Not trying to be difficult, just stating how difficult the challenges will be.   
 

If a vaccine is found, will kids be required to get it to attend school?

I do get it Belle. I don’t have the answers. I don’t know that anyone has the answers. 

I don’t know if children will be required to get the vaccine before they go to school. I remember the lines for the H1N1 vaccine. People wanted that vaccine, I think this will be similar. 

Edited April 22, 2020 by BaileyB

[schlumpy]

7 hours ago, Belle23 said:

Sorry for all the questions, but I just wonder what exactly the plan is. We’re going to have to reopen the country at some point. And no, me wanting the county reopened as soon as we safely can doesn’t mean I don’t care about people’s lives. I’m high risk, so I know the seriousness of getting it. 

The idea of testing everyone and then combining the information into a plan to stop the virus is becoming a talking point. The logistics are not likely to be overcome as you are realizing by thinking it through with your questions.

I suspect they will do statistical sampling and then create a "one size fits all plan." 

[nittygritty]

8 hours ago, BaileyB said:
The sad reality is, when restrictions are lifted life is unlikely to go back to normal. Sure, businesses will open but with new rules - they must observe social distancing guidelines. Restaurants may open, but in a reduced capacity. Theatres, sporting events, and other mass gatherings (not including the protests or trips to the beach 😂) will be the last thing to return. Many experts say this will be our new normal until 2021 or 2022. I can’t actually imagine - how will families cope if children are not in school? How will people cope financially? All the things we will not be able to do... It’s almost too much to imagine, but I do believe there is merit to this prediction if we do not develop the ability for mass testing and prompt contact tracing. 

Many businesses simply won’t reopen if they have a lot of new restrictions placed on them. The very fact that the government shutdown massive amounts of businesses and significantly financially hurt them in the first place is enough to scare people into not taking the risks that are involved with owning and operating a business. Lockdowns and shutdowns cannot become the “new normal” because businesses and the jobs they provide will not survive. 

[thefooloftheyear]

I am out every day(essential) and I have noticed more people are getting out and more cars on the road in the last week or so.....

I think people are starting to crack...even the one's that were fully on board and compliant...Protests and a lot of talk about government overreach, controls, nanny state, etc...I cant see this lasting more than another month without major pushback...Now news of AG looking into excessive/over reaching use of controls in some states...

There is also tremendous dichotomy here...You talk to some people that are working from home(or receiving government checks, etc) and haven't lost anything financially, and some of them act like a kid does when they call a snow day...They post family pictures of themselves in matching pajamas baking coolies at 3PM....Almost no concern...Others are bleeding money faster than they ever imagined and feel that if they can just  go back to work or get their businesses back on track, they can stop the feeling of being underwater all the time..and all of the stress involved with that..They have no trust that the government bailouts will have much effect and don't want to go into debt over this anyway when they didn't do anything to cause it.....Quite a bit of the commerce in my state is derived solely or in large part,  from the summer season... I shudder to think what will happen economically if all of that is lost(and it looks like it's inevitable at this point that it will be disturbed to the point where its a total loss)..And there are even a lot of others that just plain want to go back to work...Maybe they cant stand all the time with their spouse,/kids or are just bored shytless….I know if I didn't have the ability to have some place to go, and do something, then it would be wearing me out..There are already aspects that have worn me out, even though I have complied with all the rules/regs set forth.....I got to get to the dentist soon, for one...

Whether right or wrong,  many people are losing the will to continue this...from what I am seeing/hearing anyway...

TFY

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by thefooloftheyear

[Redhead14]

8 hours ago, BaileyB said:

Watching the news, and there are Americans protesting in large groups. One statement, “Our new normal does not mean that we will sacrifice our freedom for our safety.” And my personal favourite, I quoted it the other day - “Give me liberty or give me death!”

Darwin must just be laughing as he looks down upon us today... 

They want liberty . . . it's OK with me if they get death.  There will be fewer whiners to deal with when the next upsurges happen. 

[Redhead14]

I nearly fell off my chair when I saw protesters complaining because they need a haircut or to get their nails done, etc.  Seriously???? I find that sad.  Personally, I'm missing being able to spend time with my children and hug them or my SO's grandchildren or to sit down to nice family dinner.  I haven't thought once about my friggin hair since this started.  These things are their priorities?  Sad, shallow people. 

[BaileyB]

11 minutes ago, Redhead14 said:

I nearly fell off my chair when I saw protesters complaining because they need a haircut or to get their nails done, etc.  Seriously???? I find that sad.  Personally, I'm missing being able to spend time with my children and hug them or my SO's grandchildren or to sit down to nice family dinner.  I haven't thought once about my friggin hair since this started. 

Agree. I mean, it’s only been a few weeks... sure, as time goes by, people will need to get their haircut. But seriously, who are they hoping to please anyway? This kind of first world privilege is very disturbing to me. Sure, there are things I am missing like hugs from my nieces and nephews, and all the fun things we do together in the summer that won’t happen now... There are practical things I’m missing too, like shopping for work shoes that are needed, and difficult to buy online. But, I will deal. 

The news this morning showed a hair stylist in Georgia preparing her salon (disinfecting her salon) before reopening. She was in tears and said she was really scared. I feel for her, the loss of income is hard but the fear of infection because they are reopening too soon must be awful. 

There was one particularly interesting article I read online yesterday, and people are not going to like this... but, the headline was “It appears you were not really pro-life after all...” It was an article about the conservative, pro-life southerners who are so resolutely pro-life/anti-abortion. These same people are now protesting for their own freedom, asking the state to reopen the economy, a decision that will put countless lives at risk and cause more suffering and death. 

I know some people are desperate, and this is terrifying. People are suffering - physically, emotionally, financially. What I can not tolerate is ignorance, privilege, and a lack of consideration/compassion for others who may be more at risk of illness and death. 

[clia]

The point of the lockdown wasn't to prevent everyone from getting the virus, it was to "flatten the curve" and slow down the spread.  In a lot of places, we appear to have done that (or are close to doing that.)  If the healthcare system can handle it, then it makes sense to start reopening parts of the economy, slowly, and with some restrictions.  (I don't think anyone is arguing for things to immediately go back to "normal.")  They can pull back if things start to go crazy again.  We appear to be headed that way in May in many states.  It's simply not practical or feasible to wait until there is a vaccine (there may never be a vaccine) or to keep people locked down for the next year or more or to wait until there is a way to track and trace everyone (which IMO is not practical or feasible either in a country the size of the USA).    

I know it's fashionable to talk about how stupid and ignorant the protesters are, and yes, some are protesting dumb things like being able to get a hair cut, but others are likely protesting because they have been ordered to keep their business shut and they have been ordered right out of their jobs.  The government is barely -- if at all -- helping those people.  Many are going to lose their entire livelihood if this continues much longer.  I know people who have been trying to get through to unemployment for weeks, but the system is not equipped to handle the demand.  People can't pay their rent, utilities, buy food for their families.  I don't fault those people at all for wanting to get back to work.  They are likely feeling very frustrated right now, particularly if they feel they can do their job with appropriate safety precautions.  And then you have the Speaker of the House showing off her designer ice cream in her $20k refrigerator without a care in the world.  Yes, let them eat cake!        

The biggest privilege I'm seeing are from people who are able to comfortably work from home.  Those are the people I see shaming the protesters and calling for a longer lockdown.  Well this isn't so bad, we can keep doing this.  Yes, easy for you to say.  I saw a statistic recently that less than half of Los Angeles residents have jobs right now.  Nearly a third of Americans couldn't pay rent in April.  Think it's going to be any better on May 1?  Heck no.  It is not sustainable.  People were already living paycheck to paycheck before all of this.  I can't imagine the stress those people are under now, while Karen in her matching pajamas is posting pictures of the gourmet meal she cooked with her delivered groceries and telling those people to stop being so selfish.  It would be wonderful if we could all just hunker down until the virus passes, but that's just simply not a realistic solution.  The reality is that many, many more people are going to get the virus before all is said and done.  It's unavoidable.  We make decisions every day in the world where we have to weigh people's lives versus economics.  This is no different.  

[BaileyB]

Shut down is definitely not sustainable long term. The obvious question right now is how and when to safely ease restrictions. No doubt, it will look different in different areas of the country. Its not hard to understand why people want restrictions to be lifted, this is a hardship like we have never experienced before. Still, we need to follow the direction of public health officials. We can not have politicians ignoring the advice of public health officials because it is not in their personal or political best interest to continue with the shutdown. There are parts of the country that are preparing to reopen prematurely, their curve has not flattened and they are likely to see a continued increase in transmission. The lifting of restrictions prematurely is more likely to cause death and prolonged shutdown. 

It is entirely possible that this is our new reality, there will be times when the restrictions will be eased and other times when they will be imposed. There will need to be a balance between public health concerns and the very real economic reality. Still, politicians need to follow the advice of public health officials and respect the science. I don’t see that happening everywhere right now...

Edited April 22, 2020 by BaileyB

[Redhead14]

1 hour ago, clia said:

The point of the lockdown wasn't to prevent everyone from getting the virus, it was to "flatten the curve" and slow down the spread.  In a lot of places, we appear to have done that (or are close to doing that.)  If the healthcare system can handle it, then it makes sense to start reopening parts of the economy, slowly, and with some restrictions.  (I don't think anyone is arguing for things to immediately go back to "normal.")  They can pull back if things start to go crazy again.  We appear to be headed that way in May in many states.  It's simply not practical or feasible to wait until there is a vaccine (there may never be a vaccine) or to keep people locked down for the next year or more or to wait until there is a way to track and trace everyone (which IMO is not practical or feasible either in a country the size of the USA).    

I know it's fashionable to talk about how stupid and ignorant the protesters are, and yes, some are protesting dumb things like being able to get a hair cut, but others are likely protesting because they have been ordered to keep their business shut and they have been ordered right out of their jobs.  The government is barely -- if at all -- helping those people.  Many are going to lose their entire livelihood if this continues much longer.  I know people who have been trying to get through to unemployment for weeks, but the system is not equipped to handle the demand.  People can't pay their rent, utilities, buy food for their families.  I don't fault those people at all for wanting to get back to work.  They are likely feeling very frustrated right now, particularly if they feel they can do their job with appropriate safety precautions.  And then you have the Speaker of the House showing off her designer ice cream in her $20k refrigerator without a care in the world.  Yes, let them eat cake!        

The biggest privilege I'm seeing are from people who are able to comfortably work from home.  Those are the people I see shaming the protesters and calling for a longer lockdown.  Well this isn't so bad, we can keep doing this.  Yes, easy for you to say.  I saw a statistic recently that less than half of Los Angeles residents have jobs right now.  Nearly a third of Americans couldn't pay rent in April.  Think it's going to be any better on May 1?  Heck no.  It is not sustainable.  People were already living paycheck to paycheck before all of this.  I can't imagine the stress those people are under now, while Karen in her matching pajamas is posting pictures of the gourmet meal she cooked with her delivered groceries and telling those people to stop being so selfish.  It would be wonderful if we could all just hunker down until the virus passes, but that's just simply not a realistic solution.  The reality is that many, many more people are going to get the virus before all is said and done.  It's unavoidable.  We make decisions every day in the world where we have to weigh people's lives versus economics.  This is no different.  

There are mortgage deferments and accommodations being made for people struggling with payments.  If there are mortgage companies and/or landlords who are not working with their clients/tenants, I will be very surprised.  If anyone is having that kind of significant difficulty, it's because they were in trouble before this all started.  And, I'm sorry for them, but this isn't a new problem for them in those cases.  There are things available and some of them are too lazy or entitled or proud or whatever to do some leg work. 

We have only been on lock down in most places for a short time -- not 4 months like China and Italy and other places, so they need to take a chill pill.  If they are having difficulty with food or something, there are resources.  Yes, I realize things are more messed up in some areas, but as a whole, if we don't get this thing under control, we are going to be dealing with more shutdowns over and over again.  Once and done makes more sense than multiple times with larger outbreaks and more death and overloading over time. China is already experiencing another surge and with all the measures they enacted it's still a problem.  

If the collective "we" don't get this thing under good control now or at least make the best effort we can, there is a segment of the population who will be losing their freedom for an indefinite period of time.  Not just a couple of months.  Indefinite ... as in until a vaccine or good curative remedy is found which could take 18 months or more.  What the protesters want will require a good many of us to "take one for the team" and give up our freedom to spend time with friends and family and children/grand kids, go out places and enjoy their later years that we worked so hard to be able to do our entire lives because they don't want to give up a couple of months worth of sacrifice/compromise. 

By the way, I am only shaming those protesters who are whining about haircuts.  If they held up signs that said they need food or a roof or something like that, I'd be more sympathetic at least.  But whining about haircuts? Paleeze.  They aren't putting a "good face" on the argument they are advancing.

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by Redhead14

[nittygritty]

1 hour ago, Redhead14 said:

There are mortgage deferments and accommodations being made for people struggling with payments.  If there are mortgage companies and/or landlords who are not working with their clients/tenants, I will be very surprised.  If anyone is having that kind of significant difficulty, it's because they were in trouble before this all started.  And, I'm sorry for them, but this isn't a new problem for them in those cases.  There are things available and some of them are too lazy or entitled or proud or whatever to do some leg work. 

We have only been on lock down in most places for a short time -- not 4 months like China and Italy and other places, so they need to take a chill pill.  If they are having difficulty with food or something, there are resources.  Yes, I realize things are more messed up in some areas, but as a whole, if we don't get this thing under control, we are going to be dealing with more shutdowns over and over again.  Once and done makes more sense than multiple times with larger outbreaks and more death and overloading over time. China is already experiencing another surge and with all the measures they enacted it's still a problem.  

If the collective "we" don't get this thing under good control now or at least make the best effort we can, there is a segment of the population who will be losing their freedom for an indefinite period of time.  Not just a couple of months.  Indefinite ... as in until a vaccine or good curative remedy is found which could take 18 months or more.  What the protesters want will require a good many of us to "take one for the team" and give up our freedom to spend time with friends and family and children/grand kids, go out places and enjoy their later years that we worked so hard to be able to do our entire lives because they don't want to give up a couple of months worth of sacrifice/compromise. 

By the way, I am only shaming those protesters who are whining about haircuts.  If they held up signs that said they need food or a roof or something like that, I'd be more sympathetic at least.  But whining about haircuts? Paleeze.  They aren't putting a "good face" on the argument they are advancing.

 

Mortgage deferment means they will still have to pay the money. Many landlords have loans on the property that will still need to be paid. It is absolutely ridiculous to try to claim that “if anyone is having that kind of significant difficulty, it’s because they were in trouble before this began” when entire industries of businesses have been closed down for more than a month. Retail stores, restaurants, hotels, hair salons, casinos, gyms, dental offices and many other medical professionals that have been deemed “non-essential”. The list goes on and on and the domino effect goes all the way up to the loss of tax revenue for local, state and federal government and taxpayer funded jobs. At some point they are going to realize that most businesses, jobs and the tax revenue they provide are essential. It is likely already too late and too risky and many jobs are gone for good. 

There is nothing healthy about people living like they are on house arrest in isolation. Along with the financial hardship many are dealing with will greatly contribute to a significant increase in suicides, domestic violence, child abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction, obesity and all kinds of other mental and physical illnesses.

People that have weak immune systems, the elderly and those with serious health problems should always be careful in public because they are susceptible to illnesses. That isn’t going to change when they lift the lockdowns. Some states are starting to reopen businesses by the end of the week and many states will be allowing businesses to reopen May 1st. Despite the whining of those that disagree. Those people can just stay home and keep isolating themselves. 

[Redhead14]

5 minutes ago, nittygritty said:

 Those people can just stay home and keep isolating themselves. 

Yet, another person who thinks older people and/or people with underlying conditions are disposable. 

I do not have to stay home or be so careful under normal circumstances.  I have AFib which is not a result of unhealthy lifestyle or any self-induced cause and I am not afraid of nor do I have to go through extraordinary measures to avoid getting a regular flu.  I've had the flu and been there done that and came through just fine, obviously.  But this I would not likely survive or, if I did, the after affects would be devastating according to my doctor.  Yet, you and your kind get to decide whether or not I lose my freedom.  Pfft.

[nittygritty]

7 minutes ago, Redhead14 said:

Yet, another person who thinks older people and/or people with underlying conditions are disposable. 

I do not have to stay home or be so careful under normal circumstances.  I have AFib which is not a result of unhealthy lifestyle or any self-induced cause and I am not afraid of nor do I have to go through extraordinary measures to avoid getting a regular flu.  I've had the flu and been there done that and came through just fine, obviously.  But this I would not likely survive or, if I did, the after affects would be devastating according to my doctor.  Yet, you and your kind get to decide whether or not I lose my freedom.  Pfft.

Because you have this health condition, you think it’s reasonable to continue to require healthy people to stay home, be financially ruined because of job loss or not enough work and everything that goes along with that so that you feel that you are safe enough to not get this virus. More than a month of sacrificing most everything including freedom is not enough? That isn’t reasonable or logical.

[Redhead14]

17 minutes ago, nittygritty said:

Because you have this health condition, you think it’s reasonable to continue to require healthy people to stay home, be financially ruined because of job loss or not enough work and everything that goes along with that so that you feel that you are safe enough to not get this virus. More than a month of sacrificing most everything including freedom is not enough? That isn’t reasonable or logical.

So called "healthy" people don't really know if they are healthy or not unless they've been tested.  They may have the virus and be spreading it to others while being asymptomatic.  Unless people are being tested, they are potentially walking weapons.  We've only been shut down for a month when other countries have been shut down for 4 months!  And even they are coming out now and experiencing upsurges.  A month isn't even giving us a chance to get it down to something manageable on the other side.  This is no picnic financially for me or others either and we were perfectly willing to do this for a period of time that was deemed appropriate by experts and if everyone was doing it to make sure we get the best outcome from the measures we took.  The whole "we are in this together motto" is complete and utter BS now.  But fine, go ahead and treasure money over health.  Money won't mean squat when someone is being buried or if they are burying friends and relatives -- unless someone doesn't have friends and relatives which probably explains the cold/dissociated responses we've been seeing on these boards at times.  I personally have lost several friends or close associates.  All of whom were older, relatively healthy otherwise and wouldn't be affected by a regular flu and active, productive members of society.  They didn't deserve to die this way.  

[preraph]

Redhead, I'm with you.  I really hate being in this elderly group with high risk because I need to get out of the house but you can't trust other people to be careful.  People are still bringing their spreaders -- I mean, children -- out in public.  We told them not to weeks ago in our town, but it's impossible for many.  I think they should make it temporarily legal to leave kids out in the car again.  I'm kidding/not kidding.  Maybe do something like at the stockyards where there's a separate pen for the bulls.  Nah, that wouldn't work.  They'd still infect Grandma.  

 

I haven't had a regular flu since I was real young, but I have chronic bronchitis and AFIB.   My bronchitis has been worse for a whole month now, with some one-side throat swelling and mild sore throat intermittent.  I have some amount of infection.  (Yellow mucus sometimes but not always).  Could just be sinus infection because that affects everything when I get it, tonsils, ears, etc. But it's lasted a long time.  I wouldn't be surprised if I haven't had covid this whole time.  But it would actually be good news if I do because then I'd know I was able to fight it.  I would like to be tested.  But the tests are so inconclusive.  If I had it, it might now even show up now.  But if I did have it, it lasts a lot longer than 2 weeks.  

[nittygritty]

6 hours ago, Redhead14 said:

They want liberty . . . it's OK with me if they get death.  There will be fewer whiners to deal with when the next upsurges happen. 

It’s OK with you if they get death???  Sounds like a really “cold/dissociated response”. 
 

Since there is not a vaccine for Covid-19 and there may never be. It only makes sense that immunity to it is going to come from those that get it and survive. Only a very small percent that get it don’t survive. Those with weak immune systems, the elderly and those that have health conditions that make them vulnerable need to wear really good face masks in public and keep practicing social distancing and all the other recommendations even when the restrictions are lifted. 

[Redhead14]

4 minutes ago, nittygritty said:

It’s OK with you if they get death???  Sounds like a really “cold/dissociated response”. 
 

It's their choice and I can't feel sorry for people who purposely put themselves in harm's way and other's on top of that.

Edited April 22, 2020 by Redhead14

[elaine567]

The real problem here is not really the virus as is, as that is bad enough, but what may happen in the 2nd and further waves.
Before the lock down in the UK they estimated 3-10% of people were infected,
Now spread is being restricted, by the lockdown, but the virus is running wild in care homes and the death toll both in hospital and in care homes is still very big.
If  we let the population out free then it is going to run wild in the general population again.
Today at the press briefing the Medical Officer basically said unless a workable vaccine is developed or a medical cure is found, (both he thought unlikely in the next year), then we are in this for the long haul.
Plenty healthy younger people have ended up on ventilators in ITU or dead, so best not to be too complacent.
Second wave 1918 flu killed the old and infirm yes but it also changed and ran rife in the 20-40yo age group causing millions to die.
That I guess  is why we are in lockdown.
The experts I guess want it gone from the world before it has a chance to regroup.

[clia]

What countries were shut down for four months?

Wuhan was locked down Jan. 23, some restrictions lifted starting Mar. 25, and then lifted April 8.

Italy started locking down certain areas on Feb. 21, then went nationwide on Mar. 9.  They started lifting restrictions on April 14.

There's no easy answer, and Governors are going to have to look at the data and decide what to do in their states, but IMO it's just not realistic to keep everyone and everything locked down until everyone can live normally.  That means that, yes, people who are at the most risk might be advised to keep themselves isolated longer than others  That doesn't mean those people are expendable or that others don't care about them.  It just is what it is.  What other solution do you think there is?  

[Redhead14]

7 minutes ago, clia said:

What countries were shut down for four months?

Wuhan was locked down Jan. 23, some restrictions lifted starting Mar. 25, and then lifted April 8.

Italy started locking down certain areas on Feb. 21, then went nationwide on Mar. 9.  They started lifting restrictions on April 14.

There's no easy answer, and Governors are going to have to look at the data and decide what to do in their states, but IMO it's just not realistic to keep everyone and everything locked down until everyone can live normally.  That means that, yes, people who are at the most risk might be advised to keep themselves isolated longer than others  That doesn't mean those people are expendable or that others don't care about them.  It just is what it is.  What other solution do you think there is?  

The point is that they were shut down for a little more than just a month!  If you want to split hairs, fine.  But the point is we haven't given the measures we've taken a chance to be effective in the bigger picture.  We will have essentially wasted our efforts if this thing mutates and become even more virulent.  That's the dangerous part.  Since we have gone to these lengths already, we might as well give it the opportunity to at least be effective and helpful for the long-term.

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by Redhead14