I believe US could see rolling series of “Ireland events” over next 2 months

Re:I believe US could see rolling series of “Ireland events”... by ryandrake on Wednesday January 13, 2021 @07:47PM (#25770226)

We could have 1. Done a real lockdown, with strict, nationwide enforcement, trashing the economy for a few months but beating the disease. Or 2. Done nothing and saved the economy, shouldering massive loss of life as the virus ran unopposed through the population.

But, no, we somehow managed to do the worst of both worlds: 3. we implemented uncoordinated, half-assed business closures and widely-ignored “stay-at-home” schemes which both trashed the economy and resulted in widespread death. Great job!

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Re:I believe US could see rolling series of “Ireland events”... by umanwizard on Wednesday January 13, 2021 @08:33PM (#25770622)

It's unclear whether "1" was actually possible, given the political/legal structure of the United States. Who, exactly, would be promulgating and enforcing such an order?

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Re:I believe US could see rolling series of “Ireland events”... by ryandrake on Wednesday January 13, 2021 @10:10PM (#25771376)

With competent federal coordination and incentives, all 50 states could have used their emergency powers or even legislation to implement stricter lockdowns with real enforcement.

State and local police would enforce it, again, with the proper incentives. Fire the few local yokel sheriffs refusing to enforce. They have the ability, need the willingness. If they can catch me going 70 in a 45 or avoiding my income taxes, they can catch me going to Olive Garden.

We have the political ability but not the political will.

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Re:I believe US could see rolling series of “Ireland events”... by umanwizard on Thursday January 14, 2021 @02:48AM (#25773415)

So, it would have been possible under the hypothesis that all 50 states can agree on an incredibly controversial policy? I doubt all 50 states can agree on whether the earth is more than 10,000 years old, so this sounds like a fantasy.

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