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[–]JrBaconFatKid 5 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Since it seems like most people will only experience a mild illness and recover, I think it would be more prudent if those who are in high-risk groups/immunocompromised were asked to distance, wear masks, etc, instead of everyone. Public health campaigns to encourage everyone to wash their hands and stuff are a good idea, and as a society we should do what we can to circle the wagons around high-risk folks. I think stuff like businesses setting aside certain hours for high-risk or seniors is helpful. And it makes sense for medical establishments to take extra precautions.

But this whole "let's kill the economy, make people suffer, and treat it like a zombie apocalypse" thing is just silly. I've been out of work for four months now, my savings are almost gone, and I have a family to feed! Meanwhile, Congress is on vacation and our shitbag governor (California) is trying to shut everything down again.

[–]apoliticalinactivist 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Just as a counterpoint, the reason governors need to shut things down again (and the first time) is exactly because congress isn't taking anymore action. Congress won't support the citizens with rent/mortgage forgiveness, health care assistance, mass testing, payroll protection, etc. or any of the basic stuff that would allow people to self quarantine for the long term. The president won't widely activate the Defense production act either, so we as people are pretty fucked right now.

If we can't afford to quarantine, then we are forced back to work in high risk conditions.

Also, masks are there to protect the immuno-compromised from you, not the other way around; they keep your germs to yourself.
Yes, most people will suffer mild symptoms, but 0.2% of 300million people is 600,000 people dead. It's the law of large numbers, will we die? probably not. Will someone we know die? Maybe. Is that still a ton of dead people? Yes.