“The protocol will need updating. “
Maybe for now.
But a complete overhaul may be needed.
At some point they will have to test anyone who comes down sick. Fever, sore throat and phlegm will be the new criteria. Anywhere in the country.
Because this bug is lose and in no way contained.
There’s a killer on the road...
That's fine. I'm pretty optimistic about technology. I know the virus needs to be cultured and then examined for certain markers, probably partly manual, time consuming, and expensive. But technology solves all problems sooner or later because capitalism requires solutions. If you don't have a solution, you don't get the money.
All too often the government will pervert capitalism and throw out money to people without solutions. I know this wasn't government but it's an instructive example. Here's 83.333k a month. You don't need to solve any problems for us although if pushed we'll pretend you are helping us get international business. But really, don't even mention you work for us, you hoe-chasing crackhead. Now go away.
But in the case of virus detection I think the necessary inventions are mostly done, and the government should just give out a $10m V-Prize for the first succesful virus detector, buildable for less than 10k, effectiveness measured with double blind testing. Probably get a successful prototype in a month.