Perception: countries must choose between controlling the virus and having a better economy.
Reality: countries that control the virus will have better economies.
Reality: countries that control the virus will have better economies.
Public discourse is stuck in the idea that more lockdown = less virus.
But that's not really accurate.
You want short, sharp, efficient, non-cargo-cult lockdown.
Get to zero daily new cases, then test/trace/isolate till you get drug or vaccine. Like NZ.
But that's not really accurate.
You want short, sharp, efficient, non-cargo-cult lockdown.
Get to zero daily new cases, then test/trace/isolate till you get drug or vaccine. Like NZ.
The idea that the economy will be fine if you just let a dangerous virus with no cure go rampant is probably not true.
We can't foresee all the consequences of let-it-rip, but they could be bad.
For example, people will not want to buy real estate in red zones. Or travel there.
We can't foresee all the consequences of let-it-rip, but they could be bad.
For example, people will not want to buy real estate in red zones. Or travel there.
Until there is a scaled vaccine or cure, the most valuable collective good in the postvirus world is the ability to create & maintain a green zone.
It's on par with having functional roads or electricity. It allows normal economic activity to take place.
It's on par with having functional roads or electricity. It allows normal economic activity to take place.
You can think about the need to maintain a green zone in terms of utility and security.
Utility: maintaining a virus-free green zone is like maintaining water, power, internet, and road service.
Security: protecting citizens from a deadly virus is like national defense.
Utility: maintaining a virus-free green zone is like maintaining water, power, internet, and road service.
Security: protecting citizens from a deadly virus is like national defense.
