I appreciate you taking the time to read my novel and respond!
A couple more thoughts, if you're willing to read more ...
- I think it's important to separate the public's reaction (over-reaction, I agree) to everything, vs what governments/media have been saying. The people hoarding paper goods, random medicines, food, etc, are clearly panicking and there's no need for that. Even gov't officials, doctors, and media have said there's no need to do that - just shop as you normally would in terms of quantities.
- Agree that only time will tell. I'd add that when looking back, we have to make sure we take into account all the social distancing/isolation when making that decision, though. It's made a huge impact on slowing the spread of the disease, as you can tell by the updated models/expectations.
- I get the point about the total flu deaths, but CV is SO much more deadly. Using your #s and the yearly averages, flu kills maybe 300 people per day. Yesterday there were about 1,900 deaths from CV in the US, and that's WITH all the social distancing, etc. That's a huge number.
- I agree that some of the reaction is probably political (no political wants to see november ads accusing them of killing grandma), and most of all I agree that there's probably some middle ground we could do if we had more resources. If we had enough tests to be able to identify and quarantine people before things spread, if we had enough masks and sanitizer for people to use, etc, I'm sure there's some middle ground between where we are now and a fully "re-opened" economy that would make sense. But I don't think we have enough tests or PPE to do that right now, sadly.
- Gotta go since market will open soon, more I wanted to say, but appreciate you taking the time to exchange some thoughts with me, even though I suspect we are on very diff sides of the political spectrum.
Be well and make some $$$
