Could US wall off a large city like in China? Could we launch a mass quarantine? No. There are strong reasons why the US couldn’t and shouldn’t impose a large cordon sanitare (a guarded area where no one can enter or leave). In this thread I’ll explain why.
Mass quarantine would be unlawful. PH Laws & courts require individual assessment of clear risk to the public, w/ due process. I helped write model emergency health powers act for @CDCgov after anthrax. Coercion must be science based & the least restrictive alternative
Mass quarantine is unethical. We can’t trod indiscriminately on freedom and privacy without strong evidence. Balancing ph with human rights is important in a free society
Mass quarantine couldn’t reasonably be enforced. Americans would not accept harsh social control and intrusive surveillance like that used in China
Mass quarantine would backfire. First rule of ph is to gain trust & cooperation of the public. We want to encourage people to come in for testing and treatment not drive them underground
Thus over-broad coercion is unlawful, unethical, impractical & contrary to good ph.
But US should expect social distancing like temporary school closures or postponing mass gatherings like sporting events, business conventions or political rallies ( and it’s campaign season). We need to prepare
