[Mick]

Funny you mention the Spanish Flu.  In context, I understand you to mean that the "elites" of the day in 1918 stood aside and let the flu pandemic spread without implementing any social distancing measures.  Not only is that false, but it turns out that the regions of the country where more stringent measures were adopted not only had fewer deaths than those who delayed implementing social distancing measures, but also that those regions did better economically.

I don't think I ever said or implied that the authorities in 1918 stood aside. Obviously, they took what steps were available to them to prevent the spread of the flu. But they didn't shut down their economy like we've done.

[Mick]

Funny you mention the Spanish Flu.  In context, I understand you to mean that the "elites" of the day in 1918 stood aside and let the flu pandemic spread without implementing any social distancing measures.  Not only is that false, but it turns out that the regions of the country where more stringent measures were adopted not only had fewer deaths than those who delayed implementing social distancing measures, but also that those regions did better economically.

I don't think I ever said or implied that the authorities in 1918 stood aside. Obviously, they took what steps were available to them to prevent the spread of the flu. But they didn't shut down their economy like we've done.