I didn't watch, but I agree with the substance based on comments. The cold hard numbers and a wholistic view might suggest a different approach. However, I would argue that it's the American people who have decided on this course of action. The politicians are responding to public outcry and panic. Pols have not done a good job of communicating the true risks. 2 months ago the most oft repeated phrase by any politician or expert was "the risk to Americans remains low." So now there's no rational thought or discussion talking place.

But seriously, let's say Trump said tomorrow that we're open for business. I doubt it would save the economy from a deep recession. Some behavior might change, but it would be marginal. My thought is given that we've already done down this path, we might as well do all we can to crush the disease while we're at it. Nothing would be worse than a middle path where we don't substantively alter the course of the outbreak but we also destroy the economy. I fear we're on the middle path.