If no one could transmit the virus to anyone else the problem is solved, correct???
What do you think of the following solution to the Coronavirus (or any pandemic) problem:
1. To avoid transmission of the virus the Government should provide every person in this country with a protective suit (hazmat type) approved by the cdc to prevent the wearer from either giving or getting the virus (the disposable ones used in hospitals and labs plus gloves and masks together can be mass produced for less than $10, or perhaps design/develop an all inclusive suit that can be machine washable/reusable).
2. Law should be enacted (with criminal penalties) requiring all persons to wear the suit when they leave their homes for at least 3-4 weeks. This will allow people to resume a limited routine, working, shopping, without transmitting or receiving the virus. While out in public no one would be allowed to remove any protective equipment (mask, gloves, suit). That means that eating, drinking and using the restroom will only be allowed at home as well. This will be inconvenient and require planning (8 hour work shifts might have to be cut to 4 hours or give employees longer breaks to go back and forth from work to home and back). It is only temporary and will keep the virus out of the public domain.
3. Some would say that the problem with these suits is that one may be exposed if the protective suit is not removed properly (virus on the outside) however, my plan places everyone (not just health care workers) in a suit which reduces the likelihood that there will be any virus on the outside of the suit or protective equipment. Additionally, proper instruction and training for putting on, removing and sanitizing or disposing of the personal protective equipment would be provided by the government.
4. If anyone came down with the virus during the first 2 weeks while in the suit they could stay in their suits til they got to a treatment center or self quarantine at home.
5. After 3-4 weeks there should be no new cases of the virus.
6. The government could charge back the total cost with a $3 per week payroll tax split even between the employer (who benefits because his business didn't have to shut down) and the employee (who did not have to worry about getting sick). No need to panic, no stockpiling of food and supplies, no need to shut everything down. Even though no one likes the idea of imposing restrictions on our personal freedoms, the requirement of wearing a protective suit for a few weeks (kind of like a mandatory dress code) is far less restrictive than ordering a mandatory quarantine, and a whole lot better for the economy. Hospital and medical resources would not be overtaxed and lives will be saved by immediately shutting down the spread of this virus. If nothing else, it would buy enough time to develop an effective treatment/cure and vaccine.
Again, I don't know the logistics, and I can just imagine the argument that we don't have the ability to provide this amount of personal protective equipment (ppe). I assume that the logistics could be solved if leaders were sufficiently motivated to use all tools and authority necessary. Personally, I would put the military in charge of this effort and give them full authority to requisition any materials, production equipment, facilities or other resources necessary to get the job done immediately and let the government bean counters deal with compensation. We are currently doing piecemeal efforts conducted by city, state and local authorities, without a true comprehensive national plan, and settling for a solution that allows the virus to continue to escalate and ravage our country, eventually killing tens of thousands (or perhaps even millions) while we remain isolated at home. The cost of implementing this approach pales in comparison to the cost of the things we are currently spending money on (not to mention the fact that our economy is basically shut down).
What do you think of the following solution to the Coronavirus (or any pandemic) problem:
1. To avoid transmission of the virus the Government should provide every person in this country with a protective suit (hazmat type) approved by the cdc to prevent the wearer from either giving or getting the virus (the disposable ones used in hospitals and labs plus gloves and masks together can be mass produced for less than $10, or perhaps design/develop an all inclusive suit that can be machine washable/reusable).
2. Law should be enacted (with criminal penalties) requiring all persons to wear the suit when they leave their homes for at least 3-4 weeks. This will allow people to resume a limited routine, working, shopping, without transmitting or receiving the virus. While out in public no one would be allowed to remove any protective equipment (mask, gloves, suit). That means that eating, drinking and using the restroom will only be allowed at home as well. This will be inconvenient and require planning (8 hour work shifts might have to be cut to 4 hours or give employees longer breaks to go back and forth from work to home and back). It is only temporary and will keep the virus out of the public domain.
3. Some would say that the problem with these suits is that one may be exposed if the protective suit is not removed properly (virus on the outside) however, my plan places everyone (not just health care workers) in a suit which reduces the likelihood that there will be any virus on the outside of the suit or protective equipment. Additionally, proper instruction and training for putting on, removing and sanitizing or disposing of the personal protective equipment would be provided by the government.
4. If anyone came down with the virus during the first 2 weeks while in the suit they could stay in their suits til they got to a treatment center or self quarantine at home.
5. After 3-4 weeks there should be no new cases of the virus.
6. The government could charge back the total cost with a $3 per week payroll tax split even between the employer (who benefits because his business didn't have to shut down) and the employee (who did not have to worry about getting sick). No need to panic, no stockpiling of food and supplies, no need to shut everything down. Even though no one likes the idea of imposing restrictions on our personal freedoms, the requirement of wearing a protective suit for a few weeks (kind of like a mandatory dress code) is far less restrictive than ordering a mandatory quarantine, and a whole lot better for the economy. Hospital and medical resources would not be overtaxed and lives will be saved by immediately shutting down the spread of this virus. If nothing else, it would buy enough time to develop an effective treatment/cure and vaccine.
Again, I don't know the logistics, and I can just imagine the argument that we don't have the ability to provide this amount of personal protective equipment (ppe). I assume that the logistics could be solved if leaders were sufficiently motivated to use all tools and authority necessary. Personally, I would put the military in charge of this effort and give them full authority to requisition any materials, production equipment, facilities or other resources necessary to get the job done immediately and let the government bean counters deal with compensation. We are currently doing piecemeal efforts conducted by city, state and local authorities, without a true comprehensive national plan, and settling for a solution that allows the virus to continue to escalate and ravage our country, eventually killing tens of thousands (or perhaps even millions) while we remain isolated at home. The cost of implementing this approach pales in comparison to the cost of the things we are currently spending money on (not to mention the fact that our economy is basically shut down).