For those concerned about a never-ending quarantine a rule needs clarifying. How many deaths per day would justify closing down an entire city or economy?

The normal death rate hovers around 1% per year. For a daily maximum, the total population times one percent divided by 365 for the days of the year, gives an average daily death rate. Multiply by seven to get a weekly rate. To allow for a maximum increase of 5%, only multiply the weekly rate by 1.05 to give a weekly total adjusted to allow for a 5% increase in death due to the virus.

If the weekly death rate rises above this maximum, then all non-essential services should close for the following week. If the death rate remains under control, then non-essential services should remain open. This should apply to entire cities at first and then to specific neighborhoods.

In that way, cultural decisions to control the virus would bring economic benefits. The people would participate more in reduction of virus outbreaks. Finally, a definite amount such as this would protect businesses, workplaces, courts, cultural centers, and democratic processes.