Thread by @HicksCBER

1/n Saturday eve being tweetstorm regarding the protests about shelter-in-place restrictions. I begin by acknowledging that this is difficult for many. But there are a few leadership precepts at play that have to be acknowledged.

2/n The first matter at issue is the asymmetry of risk. A shelter in place order obviously has economic costs. But doing so a day early has no meaningful effect. Waiting a day can have significant effect on health.

3/n The second consideration is the precautionary principle . Without regard to the timing issue, doing nothing is much riskier than doing something.

4/n. So, with the asymmetric risk of the disease and asymmetry of costs due to delay, about half of U.S. governors took pretty strong shelter-in-place orders.

We’re they perfect? Hell no, Indiana saw 20 executive orders in three weeks, all prompting decisions by agencies.

5/n. Literally tens of thousands of supervisors made decisions. I did, and won’t know for some time if the way we closed down my office was optimal. I told my staff to prepare for closure in the first week of February. Was that alarmist? Too late? I who knows.

6/n Many elected officials have failed the leadership test of our times. The Mayor of New York and Governor of Florida both reveal their unpreparedness for public office.

The midwestern governers have performed remarkably well. FWIW, I refer to two R’s and 3 D’s.

7/n. None of them have been perfect. But, there has never, in the history of our Republic, been so many deeply coordinated and technically challenging executive actions designed to save lives and preserve civil governance.

8/n. The last time any midwestern state faces the challenges that they now confront was in our Civil War.

To place this in context, only one Indiana governor has a statue at the statehouse, and it is our Civil War governor.

9/n. I study state and local gov’t and have been a frequent critic of many Midwestern governors, including my own. That won’t change. This pandemic will solve few problems.

But, in this crisis, we could hardly be better served; and I think most midwesterners know this.

10/n a few final thoughts about protestors, and others.

To be sure, this is unpleasant. You are always right to be worried about government overreach and our Constitutional Rights. God Bless you for that worry. It has occupied much of my adult life.

11/n But, think about your fellow citizens, equally in love with the Constitution who think it wise we take the precautions our elected leaders ask of us. These aren’t your enemies, nor at they happy about the challenges we now face. Maybe think about their worries.

12/n. Finally, what we’ve been asked to give up for a short time is difficult. But when I was a young soldier in combat I didn’t take my clothes off for more than two months. Is anything you now protest that onerous?

I pray that if it is, you have the grace to bear it well.