Either close things and ban people from going, or keep them open. This halfway house is not helpful.
Maybe it could be to some extent.
We've accepted for quite some time this will spread and we can't stop it doing so. So we're trying to stagger the infections so health services can cope.
Society will have a mix of people who will both want to avoid contact and those who will carry on as normal. This could help 'flatten the curve' as some choose to go out, others will 'panic' and stay in. It would be better if we had a more assertive position coming from the government, but again the behaviour of people if some are told to stay in while others are allowed out is a factor.
So starting with no large social gatherings and steadily getting smaller as infection rates rise could help flatten the curve. Schools I'm not sure. Kids are walking disease incubators and although it seems kids are less affected by the disease but if you have them off school many will be have to be looked after by grandparents which if the disease has already been transmitted among the group puts a vulnerable group at risk. Of course they could get it at school, give it to their parents at home who then have to go and see the grandparents and pass it on that way as well. I think we're only a day or two away from that closure though
If you get everybody shut away from a few weeks/months then all emerge together when it seems the worst is over and continue as normal, it'll spread then and chances are all that's done is postponed the peak for a while. That would arguably be a bit better as the capacity of the NHS increases after winter, but would still see a massive peak and these measure being brought in again. Only the second time the public would be distrustful and maybe not follow the guidelines as they'd appeared to be unsuccessful.
I certainly don't envy the job of those tasked to contain it, as the timing of bringing in more draconian restrictions to prevent a 'pox party' but also ensure a steady rate of infection which will benefit the most vulnerable and allow health services to cope. Only time will tell if we've got that timing nearly right or not. Have we left it too late or did others bring it in too early?
