History of Social Distancing

Fourteen years ago, two federal govt doctors met with a colleague at a burger joint in a DC suburb to review a future proposal: telling people to stay home from work and school  next time there was a pandemic. The idea was born of a request by Pres GW Bush “If caught early, a pandemic might be extinguished with limited damage.” “Targeted social distancing can effectively mitigate progression of pandemic flu w/o vaccines or antivirals,” concluded a study. BushCo sided with the proponents of social distancing. Then the coronavirus came, and the plan was put to work. Dr. Markel called it “very gratifying to see our work used to help save lives.” But, he added, “it is also horrifying.”