The Coronavirus Pandemic: Public Health and American Values

Abstract

The United States is known for valuing personal independence and individualism. With such societal values, would the American people respond to the coronavirus pandemic by complying with quarantines, social distancing, and other measures in which group interests are placed ahead of individual ones? With a relatively small number of exceptions, the American people, including health care providers, have demonstrated an extraordinary degree of community-oriented behavior. Unfortunately, a lack of public health preparedness and a series of blunders by elected officials have increased the peril for all Americans.

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Pandemic, Public health, Quarantine, Social distancing, Surge capacity

JEL Classification: K31, K32