> China has demonstrated that disruptive steps have flattened the epidemic curve. Sure, China's demonstrated that "one person from your apartment complex can l

> China has demonstrated that disruptive steps have flattened the epidemic curve. Sure, China's demonstrated that "one person from your apartment complex can leave to buy supplies every two days"-tier restrictions can have positive effect. But, again, that only works if a high percentage of people follow it, and there's a lot of people in the states who'd very much not. > Do you imagine that there is a society in which this stupid Sophie’s Choice hypothetical actually plays out as you suggest? Sure - one where the young don't die to the disease despite catching it. Flattening the curve can be useful, but only in moderately severe situations - small outbreaks can be handled without flattening (this probably won't be the case here), in a 'moderate' outbreak flattening brings the peak within hospital capacity, and in a severe outbreak the 'flattened' curve is still far above the capacity of the medical system to handle. And an unconstrained spread of COVID-19 would be 'severe' by this criteria.