Just one day after releasing a reasonably sober, if horribly incomplete, blueprint for the reopening of the country, Trump returned to form and encouraged residents of three states with Democratic governors to defy stay-at-home orders. This was completely predictable, if totally irresponsible, and is part of a plan to deflect blame by changing the subject from public health and economic hardship to individual freedom.
So how should blue states respond to premature demands to reopen? Here are some principles:
1. IGNORE THE NOISE AND DO WHAT’S RIGHT: Some noisy people are going to criticize you no matter what you do and how it turns out, so you might as well do the right thing and hope for the best.
2. USE OBJECTIVE PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARDS FOR REOPENING: That will cut down on complaints about arbitrary decisionmaking.
3. DON’T OVERREACH: Don’t create arbitrary distinctions among businesses, and don’t prohibit the use of large public outdoor spaces, just to name two things.
4. ERR ON THE SIDE OF TRANSPARENCY AND TOO MUCH INFORMATION: The public will be generally supportive if they understand what you’re doing and why.
5. DON’T OVERREACT TO A FEW RIGHT-WING NUTS: No elaboration is needed.