Governments Enter the Lockdown Twilight Zone

When the coronavirus first raced around the world, many countries opted for hard lockdowns, ordering people to stay indoors, shutting schools and businesses.

We’re now in a somewhat confused Twilight Zone of pseudo or partial lockdowns. Fearful of outright rebellion, and of snuffing out signs of economic recovery, each government is opting for its own hodge-podge of curbs. In some countries gatherings are limited to four, in others six. Some have strict, monitored quarantines, others simply rely on people to “do the right thing.”

Above all, governments are trying their best to avoid a return to the restrictions of March and April. To do so would be to admit failure, that the virus is not only back, but it’s as bad as before. Some politicians are contorting themselves into word pretzels to avoid actually saying the one that starts with “L.”

It’s a tough one for leaders. Even as people object to hard lockdowns — the idea of “big” government interfering in their daily lives — they do want “big government” in terms of spending, access to health care, job support and rescuing key companies. So essentially “small-but-big” government.

And hard choices lie ahead. The northern winter is nearing, and with it the traditional flu season. In the U.K., where workers are being told again to stay home if possible, scientists warn daily cases could hit 50,000 next month. Mass testing in Europe is straining labs and complicating contact tracing.

At a virtual United Nations General Assembly starting today we’ll hear heads of state speak about the challenges of leadership in crisis. What we may not hear, though, is enough talk about collective approaches. Seven months into the pandemic, each country is increasingly going its own way.

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