By Brian Nguyen
The United States failed to control the initial outburst of the coronavirus during the first initial lockdown because many states reopened too early. This has allowed for the explosive growth of disease in a number of states and has raised the very real possibility that the United States may not be able to control the spread of COVID-19 at all.
Epidemiologists say all hope is not lost — in fact, some argue that whenever America chooses, it could take a series of actions that would bring the outbreak under control is roughly 6 to 8 weeks. Part of the danger of this virus is its ability to grow exponentially. The flip side to that danger is that it also decays exponentially. A lockdown combined with testing, tracing and isolation has been proven the world over to work, and work well. It’s the only sure way we can achieve a level of normalcy that many other countries around the world has achieved. It’s a matter of political will.
However, Republicans argue the economic devastation a lockdown would not be worth the lives it would save. Instead, they argue that life is full of risks and now dying from COVID-19 is another one of them. Instead of a lockdown, people should be allowed to live as they want and if they take actions that get themselves and others sick, so be it. According to the Republican viewpoint, individual liberty is more important than collective action to save lives.
A second well-implemented lockdown, while not a pleasant experience, would be sufficient to control the total number of infections. It’s clear that the current policies are not working — at best they allow for a plateau of cases, but not enough to genuinely draw down the numbers. Around the world, countries have proven the singular most effective way to control this pandemic is through a concerted shutdown. While there would be a big economic hit, in the long term, it would save lives and allow the economy to return to a sense of normalcy.
What we are currently doing is not working. The only way to get back sports, schools and other facets of a pre-pandemic existence is by controlling the spread of the virus. Otherwise people will continue to get sick and die.
To be entirely clear, the Republican position is not endorsed by epidemiologists. Infections that don’t end up killing people can leave even the healthy with long-term health consequences. Eventually, viruses will find their ways to a vulnerable population if there is enough community spread among the young and healthy.
However the Republican position is that all these things are acceptable in order to keep the economy running. This means reopening schools, bars, restaurants, gyms and churches and letting individuals choose how to live their lives. According to Republicans, it’s possible to control the spread of the disease with a lighter touch than a full lockdown.
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