The prolonged shutdown of large parts of the U.S. economy over the coronavirus has caused real pain that has understandably led many people to urge the swift reopening of businesses. Just this past week, there were 6.6 million jobless claims — about 10 times the number at the peak of the Great Recession. But those pushing for getting back to normal should recognize that as long as the coronavirus remains a threat, there will be no way to avoid economic disruption, regardless of government policies.
It is true that a lockdown-based strategy is not sustainable for the country over the long haul. The nation’s leaders must lay the groundwork now for a gradual return to American life once the worst of the crisis is over. Such a strategy will likely involve more widespread wearing of masks and a better system for testing people, isolating those infected, and then notifying all of their contacts. Hopefully, at some point soon, there will be a medical breakthrough that could at least treat COVID-19, even if a vaccine is unlikely to be available before the second half of 2021.
