Not a doctor, Howie, but I read a lot. 94% of the deaths in Oregon are people over 60 with underlying co-morbidities. The bulk of cases resulting in hospitalization is for elderly people (like me) with underlying health problems (not like me), so the shutdowns are adversely affecting people who are NOT at risk, and causing more harm to them than benefit. I have spoken to folks with relatives in the health care field, and they tell tales of people with cancer, diabetes, other problems etc. that are NOT being treated because "elective" or non-covid related problems are not considered "essential" at this time (trying to avoid "overwhelming" hospitals). Well, the only hospitals that are being overwhelmed are in New York, and that's because of incompetent leadership. The hospital ship Mercy was hardly used, and then sent home. ANY death is a tragedy, and I'm not saying that people aren't getting sick, but we are finding out now that between 50-80% of cases of COVID-19 appear to be asymptomatic. That means that potentially MILLIONS of Americans have already been infected with NO adverse effects, and that the disease is far less lethal and dangerous than first feared. Keeping the economy stagnant is harming MORE people (30+ MILLION out of work) than will ever be hurt by the disease. It's time to get back to work.
Yes, the shutdowns are "for a reason," but not for protecting health.