Part 6/8:
Unlike HIV, the coronavirus typically requires relatively short-term isolation, making the process potentially more manageable. However, Romer stresses the importance of the scale—targeting not just small communities but essentially everyone—as humanity is dealing with a highly contagious pathogen that can spread swiftly if unchecked.
The Reality of Routine Testing
While the prospect of needing to be tested twice a month for COVID-19 might seem daunting now, Romer points out that society has shown its capacity to adapt to rigorous safety measures in the past. Quoting the post-9/11 scenario where airport security measures became normalized, he suggests that once widespread testing becomes routine, it will feel as natural as other health and safety protocols.