And Sven, what would those (behaviors and practices) be? I bet that mine are not much different than those of most responsible people (which is a majority, we just notice the bad actors much more easily).
A.G.-
I agree it is not about you and me, and probably not even about our demographic. It is, IMO, about the political consequences in highly dense cities that have not been prepared for a very long time to deal with much of anything other than the ordinary. Pictures and film of people in an ER queue or stacked in the morgue making the news are not good for the ruling class. And, as importantly, after three+ years and numerous failed attempts to overthrow Trump, it is about not letting a crisis go to waste.
I don't know the direct relevance of the story of your friend with thyroid cancer. I had the same procedure done while in CA over 10 years ago and there was no hurry to go under the knife (over a month from diagnosis to the deed). Perhaps mine was not as advanced or critical. And I am sure that less than urgent surgeries are performed with different frequencies based on the location. I am aware of two old guys who had non-critical surgeries done in the past four weeks. I am told that some practices have excess capacity and few patients to care for.
BTW, do you find it odd that there is relatively little information about deaths from other causes? I heard that deaths attributed to C-19 "earn" a 15% reimbursement bonus to hospitals, prompting a state (maybe more) to retroactively adjust its casualty stats upwards considerably.
Lastly, I take the opposite POV vis-a-vis using a total shutdown universally versus by state and region based on the prevalence of the virus, the demographics of the population, and the availability of medical services. It is much easier to wield policy like a sledge hammer, the bureaucratic way, everyone does it the same way as opposed to a more nuanced approach based on the individual characteristics of the areas or subparts.
Forcing a regime appropriate for NYC on Frisco, Texas or the State of Montana is absolutely the easiest thing to do administratively, but also the most unfair and counterproductive. We need production from the areas where it can be done with reasonable risk to help fund the needs of those who aren't as fortunate. There are many people ready to get on with things responsibly.
JK- In my estimation, the world is a better place as a result of you being here. Some provocations are amusing; a few flesh out interesting ideas. I just wish I knew when you were being serious and not just stirring the pot- the enigmatic BarneyF, nearly 20 years running.