Everyone knows about lemmings. Something frightens them and they head for the nearest cliff, plummeting to their death. Each following the guy in front of him because… because that’s what lemmings do. But what about the guy in the middle of the pack who doesn’t want to go over the cliff?

“Hey, everybody! There’s a cliff up ahead. I was there just yesterday and it’s a long drop!

Nobody listens or they don’t believe him.

“Excuse me, coming through. Pardon me… I just need to get to the edge of the herd. Don’t push! This is my stop!

The U.S. response to COVID is a bit like this. A lot of people trying to avoid the cliff but can’t get to safety in time. The rest hurtle off the cliff.

Excuse me, coming through.