“Agree actions to date have been unprecedented, but necessary IMO.”
I respect your opinion but I strongly disagree. All one needs to do is look at countries like Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and a few others to see that you don’t need to close down society to solve this. Yes, maybe they had a few more deaths (but not overwhelming), but how many deaths will end up with from the stress of people with no jobs, suicide or other fatalities because they can no longer work or put food on their table?
We had 60,000,000 cases of H1N1 in 2009-2010 and never a whiff at this extreme, over-the-top shutdown. We lose upwards of 70,000 a year to flu each year, but no shutdown. I don’t get it.
I agree with your Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, comments. If you look at some of my comments on the Sweden threads, I state that I agree with the Swedish PM, in that people who take the necessary precautions, such as wearing the proper and appropriate PPE, self quarantine, and keep a safe distance when in groups - primarily when they have on PPE, don't need a government telling them what to do. And this is the Swedish PM's stance from the start, as I understand it. But Sweden did implement a law back in March whereby no gatherings of greater than 50 people were allowed. I don't know the reason for the number 50, but perhaps it's based on some principle.
What's going to cause more deaths in America, than almost any other 1st world country, is our lack of PPE at the beginning of the spread, and the fact that many are not taking this killer seriously, even now.
Korea had only 1 death yesterday. Their new death / total death ratio yesterday was only 1.5. Today, I believe they've had 2 deaths. Korea is the one to look to for how to fight this. Koreans take this virus seriously and take the necessary steps to halt its spread.
Korea however, had the advantage of hindsight with the SARS breakout (and/or maybe MERS?). Korea learned its lessons back then. Next time, America WILL be ready too.
Anyway, other than I strongly feel we need to contain this, and the sooner the better, I fully agree we can go about business if proper safety measures are stringently utilized.