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I wonder what Biden is going to do about the coronavirus. Trumps denials don’t work but the things people expect Biden to do (mask mandates etc.) aren’t a magic

I wonder what Biden is going to do about the coronavirus. Trumps denials don’t work but the things people expect Biden to do (mask mandates etc.) aren’t a magical solution either.

jpgvm 6y ago
Well not now that it's progressed too far. Full lockdown and masks would have worked just as well in America as it worked here in Asia if it was enforced quickly and with high adherence to the rules. (worth mentioning everyone is -still- wearing masks here in Thailand every day and have been since early March) Ironically a virus that began in Asia is now a Western problem because of inaction and/or lack of decisiveness.
- tinus_hn 6y ago
  Whatever the merit of the early masks and lockdowns strategy, the options Biden has do not include them, that ship has sailed. He’ll have to make do with the options he does have.
  - jpgvm 6y ago
    Still probably means masks in 100% of public contexts, contact tracing and widespread testing. Similar to Japans approach. But yeah, Trump really fucking screwed the pooch on this so it's going to be an uphill battle and many will die or economy will need to suffer a massive ~2 month lockdown. If a middling approach is used then likely get the worst of both worlds, rolling regional lockdowns causing multiple blows to businesses, many more dead etc. I don't envy his task, Trump has effectively made it impossible by completely disregarding the pandemic playbook.
nojvek 6y ago
Mask mandate is not a magical solution, however it will significantly reduce the spread. Basically the only option we have is to reduce the spread of the virus without really massively hurting the economy. At same time give scientists and labs everything they need to create a working vaccine verified by FDA rigorous quality process. A vaccine that kills even more people due to side effects and not vetted thoroughly is even a worse solution. Biden can’t close businesses and go on full lockdown. Everyone can wear masks in public and still go to work. That is not a huge ask. There are many pragmatic options.
- Kye 6y ago
  The difference between videos of people celebrating because they thought Trump won and videos of people celebrating because Biden won were stark. I'll say which side had near complete mask compliance for anyone viewing this in the future once context collapses: the Biden crowds. I wonder if epidemiologists can extract any useful information on mask efficacy from infection rates in these places.

I wonder what Biden is going to do about the coronavirus. Trumps denials don’t work but the things people expect Biden to do (mask mandates etc.) aren’t a magical solution either.

jpgvm 6y ago

Well not now that it's progressed too far. Full lockdown and masks would have worked just as well in America as it worked here in Asia if it was enforced quickly and with high adherence to the rules. (worth mentioning everyone is -still- wearing masks here in Thailand every day and have been since early March) Ironically a virus that began in Asia is now a Western problem because of inaction and/or lack of decisiveness.

tinus_hn 6y ago
Whatever the merit of the early masks and lockdowns strategy, the options Biden has do not include them, that ship has sailed. He’ll have to make do with the options he does have.
- jpgvm 6y ago
  Still probably means masks in 100% of public contexts, contact tracing and widespread testing. Similar to Japans approach. But yeah, Trump really fucking screwed the pooch on this so it's going to be an uphill battle and many will die or economy will need to suffer a massive ~2 month lockdown. If a middling approach is used then likely get the worst of both worlds, rolling regional lockdowns causing multiple blows to businesses, many more dead etc. I don't envy his task, Trump has effectively made it impossible by completely disregarding the pandemic playbook.

nojvek 6y ago

Mask mandate is not a magical solution, however it will significantly reduce the spread. Basically the only option we have is to reduce the spread of the virus without really massively hurting the economy. At same time give scientists and labs everything they need to create a working vaccine verified by FDA rigorous quality process. A vaccine that kills even more people due to side effects and not vetted thoroughly is even a worse solution. Biden can’t close businesses and go on full lockdown. Everyone can wear masks in public and still go to work. That is not a huge ask. There are many pragmatic options.

Kye 6y ago
The difference between videos of people celebrating because they thought Trump won and videos of people celebrating because Biden won were stark. I'll say which side had near complete mask compliance for anyone viewing this in the future once context collapses: the Biden crowds. I wonder if epidemiologists can extract any useful information on mask efficacy from infection rates in these places.