[Farm93]

The reason for examining this experience, and the the suggestion of nuance, is simple. It isn't so much that persuasion or force won't work, but that we have run out of authority. The basic anti-authoritarian 'don't-tread-on-me', element in American culture is in full play now. The absence of Presidential leadership doesn't help, but it is also true that it runs very deep in this society. Generally, that's an aspect of the culture to be appreciated. However, no question it is a problem in a pandemic.

So you try to think of some way to finesse this situation. Generally speaking, the slow retreat being undertaken by Newsome and Abbot seems most practical.

It was like driving a car with worn or defective brakes.   Given that some knew it would take a very long time to stop and if needed back up we were driving way too fast on an unfamiliar route.  Now our driver (Gov Newsom) knows there is a big problem, but some of the passengers are still screaming to drive faster.

We appear set to have a problem with COVID in July and August, when projections just 4 weeks ago had almost zero deaths per week in those months. 

If the USA can't navigate July and August properly, then October, November and December will be brutal.

[Farm93]

The reason for examining this experience, and the the suggestion of nuance, is simple. It isn't so much that persuasion or force won't work, but that we have run out of authority. The basic anti-authoritarian 'don't-tread-on-me', element in American culture is in full play now. The absence of Presidential leadership doesn't help, but it is also true that it runs very deep in this society. Generally, that's an aspect of the culture to be appreciated. However, no question it is a problem in a pandemic.

So you try to think of some way to finesse this situation. Generally speaking, the slow retreat being undertaken by Newsome and Abbot seems most practical.

It was like driving a car with worn or defective brakes.   Given that some knew it would take a very long time to stop and if needed back up we were driving way too fast on an unfamiliar route.  Now our driver (Gov Newsom) knows there is a big problem, but some of the passengers are still screaming to drive faster.

We appear set to have a problem with COVID in July and August, when projections just 4 weeks ago had almost zero deaths per week in those months. 

If the USA can't navigate July and August properly, then October, November and December will be brutal.