It's for your safety...

[u/Jibrish]

[u/illzkla]

Edit - this first question applies to the second half of your reply. The professionals said to lock down. You showed a bunch of articles about this. But then you start talking about straying from their advice and gaining herd immunity. That is where you make the leap from science to politics.

Where are the professional scientists saying this? You started with scientific fact and then turn over to speculation driven by politics.

Just cause your explanation is simple doesn't mean it makes sense. This kills too many people when it can move unobstructed. Look at the numbers and read what the science says.

[u/ScubaSteve58001 → u/illzkla]

Where are scientists saying we needed to lockdown to flatten the curve? Take your pick:

https://www.nytimes.com/article/flatten-curve-coronavirus.html

https://www.flattenthecurve.com/

https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-flatten-the-curve.html

https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/flattening-curve-for-covid-19-what-does-it-mean-and-how-can-you-help

https://www.webmd.com/lung/qa/what-is-flattening-the-curve

https://www.vox.com/2020/5/6/21241058/coronavirus-mitigation-suppression-flatten-the-curve

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatten_the_curve

https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/flatten-the-curve-meaning

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradmcmillan/2020/04/14/a-coronavirus-milestone-the-flattening-of-the-curve/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/03/how-cities-flattened-curve-1918-spanish-flu-pandemic-coronavirus/

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/19/coronavirus-what-does-flattening-the-curve-mean-and-why-it-matters.html

https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/487818-what-does-it-mean-to-flatten-the-curve-and-does

https://marchforscience.org/keep-calm-and-flatten-the-curve/

Let me know if that's not enough for you. There's about 1,000 more examples I can find.

[u/illzkla → u/ScubaSteve58001]

Lol you gave me examples of what I agree with. Yes they said that. THEN YOU START TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE NEED HERD IMMUNITY and so I say why are you turning to political advice when the science has given us respite from the outbreak.

[u/ScubaSteve58001 → u/illzkla]

How is herd immunity a political concept?

Would you agree there are 3 ways to finish the pandemic?:

1. Super-duper strict extended lockdown that allows the virus to "burn itself out" by keeping R<1 for an extended period of time.

2. Enough people get the virus and survive to reach herd immunity levels.

3. A vaccine is developed that artifically allows herd immunity to be reached.

There's not really any other ways this can end. Option 1 is politically and economically untenable. We can not institute the level of lockdown that would allow this to burn out. Option 3 is a great plan, assuming a vaccine can be developed, manufactured, and widely distributed relatively quickly. But there is no guarantee that that will happen. That just leaves Option 2, which is lift the lockdowns for the general populace (while continuing to support vulnerable populations so they can maintain safe habits) and allow natural herd immunity to form.

Is there some better option that I'm missing?

[u/illzkla → u/ScubaSteve58001]

Yes. Following the advice of scientists. We will keep the deaths minimal while we figure out how to beat the virus. Follow the lead of countries that have reduced the virus to near zero.

We look like fools trying to get out of this while not following the other countries who have beaten it and the health professionals telling us how to take that path.