[gpm]

Nationally lock down now, and once we unlock down the virus will come back from foreign countries and be just as much of an issue.

Slightly more of an issue in fact, because we will have just shot ourselves in the foot in terms of capability to deal with it via manufacturing.

[SAI_Peregrinus]

Exactly. The goal of the lockdowns is to reduce the number of concurrent cases, thereby allowing time for medical infrastructure to scale up.

[gpm]

I wish this was true, but from all appearances the medical infrastructure is not scaling up at a reasonable pace... i.e.

> The Trump administration has not yet formally asked GM to use its network of plants and suppliers to make any medical equipment, the person said. (From the Article)

> Tesla makes cars with sophisticated hvac systems. SpaceX makes spacecraft with life support systems. Ventilators are not difficult, but cannot be produced instantly. Which hospitals have these shortages you speak of right now? (From twitter 9 hours ago https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1240492347835604992)

[grey-area]

It's a very difficult problem. Here is a paper outlining the cost in lives of your proposal.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/s...