If we really want to have conversation about employment, social support networks, economics, rights and above all health-- we have to come to the an understanding and acceptance of basic math. It is not about liberty, not about life style, not about privilege (there is no such thing as underprivileged it is just a term the privilege use to make themselves feel normal).
We all accept that there are basic behaviors that we must accommodate for societal health. We accept wearing proper clothing to enter a store. While it is a necessary bodily function, we know that open urination and defecation cannot be allowed. It causes numerous diseases that are deadly. We accept this, and gladly participate in these laws. We culturally shun activity that runs against this. While we all have body parts that handle excretory functions and we generally keep them covered. Until now, most of us have not thought of our noses and mouths as part of that exit system of the body that is transmitting a deadly disease. Now it is. Simply said, cover it up!
Compound interest v R naught
Compound interest (or compounding interest) is interest calculated on the initial principal, which also includes all of the accumulated interest from previous periods on a deposit or loan. (Investopeia)
What do R0 values mean?
Three possibilities exist for the potential transmission or decline of a disease, depending on its R0 value:
-If R0 is less than 1, each existing infection causes less than one new infection. In this case, the disease will decline and eventually die out.
-If R0 equals 1, each existing infection causes one new infection. The disease will stay alive and stable, but there won’t be an outbreak or an epidemic.
-If R0 is more than 1, each existing infection causes more than one new infection. The disease will be transmitted between people, and there may be an outbreak or epidemic.
https://www.healthline.com/health/r-nought-reproduction-number#meaning
If we can accept that for a period of time, (possibly years), that we will have to rethink, rehabituate, our social norms, change our behaviors for the greater good, then-- we can slowly go back to what we approximate the way we used to behave. It will be different. Aps, and devices will change the culture, and will change how we interact with one and other. This is just more radical than we expect. The time line is shortened, but the response has to be immediate. We will adapt. We will mourn what we lost. Not more or less than we mourn what we lost when a hurricane or tornado wipes out area. This is a grander scale--this is a compounded scale. This is town + town + county + state + country + global region.
If we acknowledge that a person carrying corona in the infectious stage probably does not know that s/he is infectious, then we need to mitigate. Just as if we know an intersection has a high volume of traffic that left alone would cause fatal accidents, we mitigate. We set speed limits; regulate lanes and add signage or traffic lights to control the situation. If you fail to yield to the prescribed ordinance you get a ticket. (And the casual observer would say you deserved it)
It is a compound interest to mitigate. The initial principle being where we are now, including the previous interest (our cultures) and the hope of our future based on our history, culture and social assets; compounded by our need to survive -- more than sustain, but to thrive.
The easiest, most cost effective mitigation is to wear a mask and to social distance.
To do this though, masks have to be readily available, affordable, effective, and common. To get to R naught we need to wear a mask every time we get out of the car, step out onto the street, leave our home, leave our familiar quarantine box. It must become part of the culture.
The concept of the box is important. We need to know that our work space is a safe quarantined box. If I can't move from one clean room to another clean room, then I need to be provided clean protective equipment to get me through my employment. Employers are responsible for lighting, electrical, fire control systems, heat, ventilation, and now PPE. It is just the progression.
You expect our office to have toilet paper, soap and paper towels in the bathrooms. Now they need to provide masks. It's no different. It's necessary.
No PPE, No distancing, No R naught---No functioning economy.
