There is an obvious and compelling public health interest in taking steps to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic. But the excessive rush to close down the economy’s service sector isn’t just a mistake — it’s one that will ruin lives.

We need to recognize that the public health concern of the coronavirus isn’t the only concern here. Yes, with an apparent U.S. mortality rate of between 0.1% and 1%, the coronavirus is serious. But so too must we be attentive to the plight of tens of millions of service sector employees. They have to make rent, or they’ll have to move in with others. Or go homeless.