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OPINION: Increased COVID-19 recovery means shutdowns must end

OPINION President Donald Trump’s return to the White House [on Oct. 5] provides Americans hope that COVID-19 is not a death sentence, with mortality down per capita since the spring. This does not mean that people in high-risk categories should spend the next three months going to every party they can find. What it does mean […]

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OPINION

President Donald Trump’s return to the White House [on Oct. 5] provides Americans hope that COVID-19 is not a death sentence, with mortality down per capita since the spring.

This does not mean that people in high-risk categories should spend the next three months going to every party they can find. What it does mean is that individuals should behave according to their own risk tolerance with full knowledge that the likelihood of dying from the virus has been significantly declining given advances in effective treatments.

Two conclusions can be drawn from this fact:

• President Trump’s policy of flattening the curve so treatments and capacity could catch up to the virus worked; and

• The President’s ability to come back from the disease in a very public way should provide assurance to the American people that they can begin resuming life because lockdowns are not sustainable.

The sad truth is that for people with depression and drug and alcohol addiction, lockdowns are far more dangerous than the coronavirus ever will be. In short, hiding in your basement for many is much more dangerous than the virus will ever be.

Rick Manning is president of Americans for Limited Government (ALG). The organization says it is a “non-partisan, nationwide network committed to advancing free-market reforms, private property rights, and core American liberties.” This op-ed is drawn from a news release the ALG issued on Oct. 6.

Rick Manning