Remember the "flatten the curve" strategy? And it worked but the shutdown lasted longer than the "two weeks"
We are now seeing exponential growth in cases, in the literal/mathematical sense not just hyperbole. If the Thanksgiving holiday produces a bunch of super spreader events, we will again be looking at potentially exceeding hospital capacity.
Its the perfect storm, sadly. Colder weather, lockdown fatigue, traditional time of year for large indoor gatherings, and a disengaged federal government, both the executive and congress.
The really sad thing is, we are on the cusp of getting a handle on things. The antibody cocktail getting approved and the vaccine near release means if we had the discipline (and the government support) for one more 6 week lockdown by the time we emerged in January we will have some real weapons against this thing.
But it will never happen, and governors will do good to institute half measures at best with no relief from the feds for those who the half measures will hurt.
Buckle up folks, December is going to be absolutely brutal.