[abootstrapper]

I think we should have a national standard "Covid Danger Rating System," like the Fire Danger Rating system. Track it like the weather. Have the local weather man discuss that regions current Covid Risk rating and what it means. Do it every time the weather is broadcast.

Add to that, let's make being caught spreading Covid by not following the current ratings recommendation a punishable offense. That way it's not illegal to not wear a mask, or not social distance, but if we're at Covid-Risk 5, and an outbreak is traced back to your negligence, you'd be fined, jailed, something. Same way you'd be punished for being caught starting a wild fire with a campfire during burn ban. We wouldn't even need perfect contact tracing for this to work. The majority of people will follow the recommendation for social good, and others will for the threat of possible punishment. It's not perfect but a unified plan that everyone understands, plus some teeth for enforcing it would go a long way.

[ahdeanz]

This is a good way to get people to hide their infections and make stopping spread harder.

[abootstrapper]

How so? There’d be no penalty for spreading covid. The penalty would come if you spread it by willfully ignoring the current guidelines.

[cozzyd]

Those who don't follow guidelines are also likely to not want to get in trouble.

I think the same problem happens with forest fires...