When people discuss COVID protocols, they often stick with ideas we've already half-assedly tried and failed to implement. Most of those were emergency measures meant to immediately curb the spread. They were mostly the least we can do on short-notice -efforts, but weren't tested before implementation. Now knowing how people act during a pandemic, here's some policies I think should be discussed moving forwards:
- Make it illegal to knowingly expose other people. Whether it's someone COVID-positive out shopping, or a manager guilting an exposed employee to coming in to work, these actions should have legal consequences.
- Enforce mask wearing in enclosed public spaces, nationally. This is one of the easiest measures to stop the spread of COVID and it's a shame that political forces have polarized this issue. This is something relatively easy to enforce and relatively impactful.
- Implement procedures to encourage people with mild COVID symptoms to stay home. Send supplies of food, drinks, and other necessities to the residence of anyone confirmed (with free testing) COVID positive. Mandate paid sick leave for qualifying employees. Make it easy for people to stay home if they are sick.
- Put basic hygiene back on the news! When COVID started, we had to teach people how to wash their fucking hands. Since it's become politicized, those people have forgotten those lessons. Put social distancing and mask wearing BACK on the news, especially FOX. Explain it clearly and succinctly from a trustworthy source.