To blunt or not to blunt......do we have a choice?

Clearly we all need to do our part toward flattening the curve - 100% - no question about it BUT there is no mention of what flattening the curve will do to the overall duration of the pandemic......mathematically, flattening the curve will increase the duration of the pandemic (as we understand it today and at it's current rate of infection) into next year - unless a vaccine breakthrough occurs first, which is doubtful....neither our politicians nor the media ever mention that part of the equation, no doubt why. We find ourselves between the proverbial rock and a hard place and yet, without sufficient hospitals, health care workers and the necessary medical protective gear, what else are we to do but make all efforts to flatten the curve?

Years of governmental budget cuts for seemingly "unimportant" or lower priority preparedness costs , along with "just in time" inventory mentalities have gotten us to this place, even when there have been any number of examples of how this would play out based on past missteps and similar lack of preparedness. Yes - science has made huge steps in understanding microorganisms and the science and biology behind them but it is human nature that continues to hold us back from doing the right thing. Will we ever learn?