So, what is the end game? Does anyone know?
Years ago I learned that for successful and effective goal setting, three important questions needed to be asked and answered: Where are we going? How are we going to get there? and, How will we know when we're arrived. With all the outspoken authorities about the disease that has stricken much of the world, you'd think someone could tell us what we're trying to achieve.
Because, as the adage asserts, if you aim at nothing, you hit it every time.
Early on, back in March sometime when we first were informed coronavirus/COVID-19 was a pandemic, we were told to wash our hands thoroughly, keep our hands away from our faces, and "social distance." (Did anyone know that term in January?) The purpose, we were told, was to "flatten the curve" and slow the spread of the virus.
Okay, most of us did that - even while we were searching grocery and department stores for toilet paper.
Then facemasks were mandated in many areas, even though there was no consensus that wearing masks was really beneficial. In fact, some of the exalted "experts" initially said masks weren't necessary if we did all the other stuff. Somewhere along the line, they changed their tunes.
In case you didn’t notice, we also have a virtual nationwide shutdown which was lots of fun. In fact, some authorities are suggesting we should try it again.
Well, it seems in many areas we succeeded in flattening the curve, although reported cases increased dramatically - largely because virus testing was greatly increased. You usually find what you're looking for.
The encouraging fact, although you'd hardly know it according to the mainstream media (because they're reluctant to report such things), death rates have not increased correspondingly. In fact, a minority of physicians no one seems to be paying attention to, the mortality rate/percentage for COVID-19 might not be any more severe than the common flu.
That's why I'm wondering, is "flattening the curve" no longer what we're aiming for? Is it total eradication of the virus, and if it's that, will we be required to wear masks, social distance, and never see live sports again until that lofty, idealistic goal is reached?
I'm no scientist, but I remember being taught in science classes - and hygiene classes - that we live in world populated by germs and bacteria. So the hand-washing, no face touching guidelines make sense. But as human beings we're a social lot - we like shaking hands, hugging, and even more intimate stuff. And we like to be able to communicate eye to eye and face to face, not mask to mask.
So can somebody please tell me - tell us - what is the end game? Where are we going? How will we get there? and how will we know when we've arrived?
Bob Tamasy