We know where this is going. The infection rate arc of the Novel Coronavirus/Covid-19 in the United States is tracking that of Italy. The unprecedented historic catastrophe that is the Trump administration destroyed any chance the United States might have had of preparing ahead of time. Leadership is going to have to come elsewhere, and nowhere has there been a greater opportunity than in cities and states that have Democratic elected executives. But they’re dragging their feet. They were (and some still are) slow to close schools, and they’re slow to take the next necessary steps.
Italy is on lockdown, but their action came much too late. Spain and France are starting to lock down, before they reach similar crisis levels. We know what’s happening in the United States. Voluntary social distancing has been egregiously inadequate. It’s not worth bothering with the staggering stupidity, criminal venality, and soul-sucked cruelty of the people who aren’t cooperating. It’s time for governors and mayors to act. Shut down all schools. Order bars, restaurants, and all non-essential shops closed, with the possible exceptions of take out and delivery. Close all entertainment, recreation, and cultural venues. Figure out now how to feed those who will need it, how to help those who will lose jobs, and how to prevent small businesses from going broke. But shut it all down.
The bottom line is that we will end up with mass shutdowns, anyway. It’s inevitable. It can be reactive, after it’s too late, as the Italians have been warning us; or it can be proactive, in a last ditch attempt to prevent the full crisis Italy is facing. Orders to limit social gatherings to 250 or 500 people were astonishingly short-sighted, the numbers arbitrary, and not even close to adequate. Look to Italy. Look to France and Spain. We’ll be there, soon enough. So, do it now. Try to get ahead of the crisis, if it’s not already too late. Or our doctors, too, will be deciding whom even to try to treat, and whom to leave to die.
We know that whatever help comes from the federal government will be far too little, far too late. But states and cities can take the lead. Call your state officials. Call your city officials. Tell them there’s no time to waste. Some Republican executives may be open to reason, but all Democratic leaders must be. Tell them to shut it all down. Now!