The Five Things

Five things that USA as a free society should be doing differently with regard to COVID-19 response: 

1. Open everything up.  We have rights under the U.S. Constitution.  So open everything up. Now. Go back to pre-pandemic conditions with no restrictions on business, trade and the free market. 
2. Set policies and procedures immediately that help protect the vulnerable, elderly, and treat the sick with the best possible care available.  Test everyone that works in hospitals, assisted living, homeless shelters, veterans homes, etc.  Isolate sick people (without violating their rights) and give them the best possible medical care as possible. 
3. Set a national policy recommendation that encourages measures to restrict transmission, including masks and social distancing. This would be a national campaign like the 1980’s “just say no to drugs” campaign or like we often hear and read to “support veterans”.  It won’t be perfect but it will set the tone from the top.  (Note: we have to remember that the USA is a federal republic and the power to manage the pandemic rests primarily with the individual states. What’s good for Alaska is not necessarily good for Iowa.  But some things are a good idea everywhere.) 
4. Research, research, and more research. Apply emergency federal funds to it like we did to develop nuclear power. We should know way more about this virus than we apparently do already. Share the info so that the states, academia, and the free market can have the best information to make the best decisions.
5. Better screening at entry checkpoints including airports, ports, etc. Test everyone coming into the country especially from locations that do not have a good handle on the virus response.  Use a homeland security approach to it.  Know the origin of travelers and manage their entry to the country in a practical way.  Don’t violate the Constitutional rights of American citizens. Don’t restrict travel and trade. Treat visitors with respect but manage their travel entry using the customs and homeland security systems already in place. 

Any input or comments?  Be respectful. Back up  your claims. And remember, this is just for discussion amongst friends.