If it's out of control, it needs to be brought under control after which time incrementally more open measures can be taken.
https://www.ft.com/content/e66b2d2b-aa70-4866-a9cb-2cd095f4f...
That is the problem to solve, lockdown or not, in most countries we have utterly failed to protect our most vulnerable people. In fact I'd go as far as arguing that lockdowns and restrictions for the general population have diverted attention and effort from protecting the LTC homes & the vulnerable.
https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-new-york-andrew-cu...
"March 25 order that sent thousands of recovering COVID-19 patients from hospitals into nursing homes at the height of the pandemic."
As an engineer, if you gave me this problem, I'd secure every LTC home with 24hr police / national guard. All staff would be do 3 weeks on, 3 off, but while "on" (think oil rig workers), living on-site in trailers or [hm]otels, not going home every night (movies do this when filming on location; juries get sequestered for important trials, why can't we do this here?). When staff go on-shift, they must be isolated and then tested before being allowed to go onsite. Deliveries left on the loading dock and properly sanitized, and no visitors -- AT ALL. For Medical emergencies (local FD / EMTs), the resident & 1st responders would have to be isolated for triage, then taken off-site and go back through quarantine / testing to get back in.
It's totally doable and the cost is a heck of a lot less than an economic shutdown / lockdown, or the continued high death toll.
It's absolute insanity to throw your country in the pit of perpetual isolation in order to "save everyone." You can't save everyone even if you home-jail 100% of the population. The virus will not magically disappear no matter what you do, especially when it's do contagious.
This guy is being a populist just like anyone else nowadays. Say and do whatever nets you more upvotes.