[alea_iacta_est]

Yes, similar as in "if we don't do that, insert_whatever_crazy_idea_here, we're gonna overwhelm the hospitals!!!"

Because it's been the justification from day 1: "not overwhelm hospitals".

[giaour]

Yeah, that's not how precedent works. Precedent is used to justify the means, not to point out that past actions had the same or similar ends.