The C-19 National Objectives

[Phil1111 1,149]

One concept that has really not been discussed by national leaders. Is what the national objective is going to be. Chancellor Merkel  who by a recent poll showed " 89% of Germans thought the government was handling it well."  Has talked about the requirement of 70% of the population requiring antibody immunity before the general population would be somewhat safe.Has brushed upon core issues. She has restricted groups to two people.

Other governments have been feeding the narrative that its all about a two week quarantine then the curve will be flat enough to deal with everything. Others seem to pin their hopes on a vaccine 11/2 years away. That may never materialize. Its as if what's known to the inner circles of epidemiologists, economists and experts advising political leaders. Have delivered the doomsday message that the public can't handle. That shouldn't be disclosed.

China, S.Korea have contained the virus to date with two month shutdowns and massive testing. Testing at 700 per 100,000 combined with active tracking of sources for infection. Long term protections for the elderly, groups especially susceptible to the virus need implementation. Obviously at some point entire hospitals can be staffed by doctors, nurses and staff. That have fully recovered from C-19. Given robust incentives and orders the masks, ventilators, etc. will be available to service a continuous low flow of infectious new patients into the medical system.

Are governments prepared to subsidize incomes for pack a day smokers, 75 lbs overweight, aged 50, for 11/2-2 years? Or should they be thrown under the bus to pay for the expense of isolation for someone else equally at risk? Should recovered workers keep outsized wages because they are working while others can't?

What about companies that fail due to bailout funds running out? Should they get another? As the current offerings of 2-4 months are clearly not going to last and be enough? Should a speedy opening up of the public to business, mobility and social interactions. Allow the quickest buildup of "herd immunity" possible. So the economy can speed ahead, over the bodies of those that might die anyway?

Can the public handle the truth? Can corporations and the public handle the debts they've accumulated over the last 20 years? Should 20-30% more debt/gdp be thrown at C-19 and let children pay for an easy exit to this pandemic?

Edited March 29, 2020 by Phil1111