Funny thing, I recently read an article reviewing several plans (from right-leaning and left-leaning think tanks, more politically neutral groups affiliated with Harvard, and one from a Nobel-winning economist) for how to go back to normal after social distancing ends. And, once the curve starts to taper off, there seem to be three plans:
1. Every American downloads an app on their phones that geotracks their movements, such that, if someone who's COVID-negative comes close to someone who tested positive, they can be alerted, among other digital surveillance measures. Notice that this does not cover those of us who don't have cell phones, or, for that matter, someone who's COVID-positive and decided to tactically leave their phone at home.
2. THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES gets tested for COVID every fortnight. Yes, this would require somewhere in the neighbourhood of 22 million tests daily for a nation where, last time I checked, you have to jump through a lot of hoops just to get tested. Some states are loosening their criteria, though.
3. Not much actually changes from now until the virus is approved. Or maybe we relax social distancing and we risk a new peak.
And bear in mind, not only are #1 and 2 not all that realistic on the scale the plan requires (some nations have had progress with them, but they're much smaller and have fewer people who just do the opposite of what the authorities say because 'MURRICA), America's government exists in a state of almost complete inertia and our President has made clear that he doesn't really give much of a shit about actually helping flatten the curve. Even I, someone who has caught the flu shortly after literally every time I've had the yearly flu vaccine, think that shit isn't likely to change until we get everyone vaccinated. And I don't expect the government to come to a consensus on that. Especially with Donald Trump in the White House and Mitch McConnell in the Senate.
1. Every American downloads an app on their phones that geotracks their movements, such that, if someone who's COVID-negative comes close to someone who tested positive, they can be alerted, among other digital surveillance measures. Notice that this does not cover those of us who don't have cell phones, or, for that matter, someone who's COVID-positive and decided to tactically leave their phone at home.
2. THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES gets tested for COVID every fortnight. Yes, this would require somewhere in the neighbourhood of 22 million tests daily for a nation where, last time I checked, you have to jump through a lot of hoops just to get tested. Some states are loosening their criteria, though.
3. Not much actually changes from now until the virus is approved. Or maybe we relax social distancing and we risk a new peak.
And bear in mind, not only are #1 and 2 not all that realistic on the scale the plan requires (some nations have had progress with them, but they're much smaller and have fewer people who just do the opposite of what the authorities say because 'MURRICA), America's government exists in a state of almost complete inertia and our President has made clear that he doesn't really give much of a shit about actually helping flatten the curve. Even I, someone who has caught the flu shortly after literally every time I've had the yearly flu vaccine, think that shit isn't likely to change until we get everyone vaccinated. And I don't expect the government to come to a consensus on that. Especially with Donald Trump in the White House and Mitch McConnell in the Senate.
Comparing the Universal Oneness of All Life to Yo Mama since 2010.
![[Image: harmlesskitchen.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/yxR97P23/harmlesskitchen.png)
I was born with the gift of laughter and a sense the world is mad.
![[Image: harmlesskitchen.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/yxR97P23/harmlesskitchen.png)
I was born with the gift of laughter and a sense the world is mad.