What are our Goals in Dealing With Covid? [View all]

[Tomconroy]

The New York Times has an interesting op ed up today urging us to think about the country's goals in dealing with op-ed. They point out that if the goal is to eliminate Covid then very restrictive policies on human activities are appropriate. They question though (as do I) whether that is a realistic goal and implicitly suggest that a more realistic goal is to learn to live with a condition that is likely going to always be with us. If that's the case then getting things back to normal as much as possible should be the direction for public policy (Well, at least I suggest that).
They deal with the issue of public schools. Is the goal the safety of every child? Then obviously remote schooling is best. Is the goal the best educational and social experience for children despite a disease that likely will always be with us? Then in school teaching is the appropriate policy.
They also touch on the subject of masks in school. The goal seems to be mandatory masks until a vaccine is available for children is available. But they point out that the vaccine rate for 12 - 15 year olds is terrible. Just 30 percent going into the school year.
Anyway the article made me think which I guess is a good thing.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/30/opinion/us-covid-policy.html

Paywalled, unfortunately.

PS They never get really explicit in recommending things but I think they are implicitly saying that Covid will be like the flu. There will be good years and bad years. Some people will get annual boosters. Some won't. Some people will end up in the hospital and some will die. What policies are appropriate for managing a recurring condition? At least I think they are saying that.

PPS They made a big point that the UK decided not to impose mask mandates on children. I wonder what thinking went into that decision?