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Can we please stop talking about lockdowns? A national lockdown is not going to happen. Every time it’s brought up, it distracts attention from practical public health measures that can work to control #covid19.
My @washingtonpost column: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/11/18/national-covid-lockdown-us-wont-happen/
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My @washingtonpost column: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/11/18/national-covid-lockdown-us-wont-happen/
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First, let’s get our terminology right. The restrictions being proposed by Governors in light of surges are not lockdowns. In fact, the U.S. never had a national lockdown (8 states didn’t have stay-at-home restrictions even back in March).
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Since then, we’ve also learned a lot about why we don’t need a blanket lockdown. Being outdoors is good. Limiting certain high-risk settings will help (including not being indoors even with extended family/friends). And wearing masks PREVENTS lockdowns.
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Here’s what else we know: The best policy won’t do much good if people won’t follow it. Only 49% of Americans say they will abide by a lockdown.
A compromise strategy with excellent compliance will do much more good than an ideal strategy with poor compliance.
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A compromise strategy with excellent compliance will do much more good than an ideal strategy with poor compliance.
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So let’s take lockdowns off the table. We need to be careful about describing targeted restrictions as lockdowns, because they're not. We must emphasize that they're temporary.
We need to forgo in-person Thanksgiving now, but let’s plan for Thanksgiving next July.
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We need to forgo in-person Thanksgiving now, but let’s plan for Thanksgiving next July.
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This year has been exceptionally difficult. What Americans need is guidance they can realistically follow, as well as empathy, hope and encouragement — not the confusion, anger and defensiveness that come with speculation of a lockdown.
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