[Genuine Realist]

We've had many discussions about the value flattening the curve and saving lives versus opening the economy. Well, a team of researchers have tackled that from a purely economic perspective.

Economists at the University of Wyoming estimated the economic benefits from lives saved by efforts to “flatten the curve” outweighed the projected massive hit to the nation’s economy by a staggering $5.2 trillion. Another study by two University of Chicago economists estimated the savings from social distancing could be so of immense proportions, “it is difficult to think of any intervention with such large potential benefits to American citizens.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...19-crisis/

Somewhat simplistic. The issue isn't binary, 1 or 0. The question that will be raised - is being raised - is whether equivalent results could have been achieved by less drastic means. How far down the curve did we really have to go? The study uses the neutral term 'social distancing'. I don't think there's really too much argument about that. Whether it had to be taken to the extremes of SIP is the issue.

[Genuine Realist]

We've had many discussions about the value flattening the curve and saving lives versus opening the economy. Well, a team of researchers have tackled that from a purely economic perspective.

Economists at the University of Wyoming estimated the economic benefits from lives saved by efforts to “flatten the curve” outweighed the projected massive hit to the nation’s economy by a staggering $5.2 trillion. Another study by two University of Chicago economists estimated the savings from social distancing could be so of immense proportions, “it is difficult to think of any intervention with such large potential benefits to American citizens.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...19-crisis/

Somewhat simplistic. The issue isn't binary, 1 or 0. The question that will be raised - is being raised - is whether equivalent results could have been achieved by less drastic means. How far down the curve did we really have to go? The study uses the neutral term 'social distancing'. I don't think there's really too much argument about that. Whether it had to be taken to the extremes of SIP is the issue.