From the perspective of this fourth choice, the best pathway requires that we bring about the integration of compassion and consideration—rather than these values and accompanying perspectives being framed as a non-reconcilable polarity. This fourth choice requires that social distancing (and other preventative actions) are consistently engaged. We need to learn from what did and did not work in various society during 2020 regarding NPI social behavior policies. The (at least temporary) acceptance of the social distancing policy (the upper left side of the polarity map) will only be effective if it can be applied in a flexible and adaptive manner without a polarizing vacillation between this policy and the herd policy (the upper right side of the polarity map). The fourth choice also requires effective and widely accessible testing and a labor-intensive contact tracing system.
At the present time, the continuing engagement of NPI in the future probably makes sense. A strict herd immunization policy does not make sense—for several reasons. First, we have not acquired sufficiently valid and useful information to make the critical decisions in the future regarding vulnerability. Who is most likely to live and who is most likely to die? The epidemiologists now know more than they did prior to 2020—but the information still isn’t complete. Second, many of us lack confidence that any governmental (or nongovernmental) institution can fairly handle such a difficult decision-making process (operating without prejudice or vested interests). Third, in 2020, we painfully discovered in most countries that there are not an adequate number of health workers, nor adequate facilities, to handle a significant increase in hospital admissions. It is unlikely that most governments in the future will be able to fund these operations at a sufficient level.
It is only when there is valid information, trust in government, and adequate health resources that a NPI policy can be abandoned –even temporarily. At the point where conditions are satisfactory, then we will probably be positioned to adjust this policy. Writing in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, Howe (2020, p. K4) relied on the expertise of the epidemiologists when he suggests that “once more wide-spread testing is in place and hospitals have the resources they need to treat COVID-19 patients, then we could switch gears and allow for more exposure than we are allowing now.” This perspective is probably appropriate when we face future pandemic challenges.
