I am kind of less stressed about this all for some reason, even as we go into lockdown this afternoon. The numbers are pretty much all BS for the US, but the actual data we are getting from NY is showing this to still be what we thought it was...~70% of deaths are 70+ year-olds, and 80% of deaths for those under 70 are due to underlying condition. Hopefully vaccine or treatment happens sooner than later, ideally may help with seasonal flu or other viruses as well.
I think my opinion is we should try the lockdown/flatten the curve method for at least the month or so to see if we can prevent as much unnecessary death as possible, if possible. Locking things down seems to have a point of diminishing returns, without vaccine or any immunity will just flare up again down road. I don't think we should continue for months and burn down our entire economy though, and honestly don't think people here are ready for (or really want) sweeping social changes. Temporary measures can keep things going during a short lockdown period but we are not set up to sustain it long-term.
I optimistically believe the result of this will be there will should be move towards more socialized health care, in a brokedown and strange US way/MFA/etc. Europe will likely come out of this better than we will short-term due health care. I also believe it will should help fight to raise minimum wages. Best-case we start manufacturing more domestically. At the very least should result in more preparedness.
That or we have totally squandered the only opportunity to upend the boomers, trusting establishment to sort issue while diving into distractions. Nothing happens but a gradual decline into an imbalanced police state, while everything continues to go to shit.
