At a high profile time like this, with everyone watching, if your society doesn’t express social solidarity with the tens of thousands or millions who may die of a pandemic, it doesn’t just send a message to the elderly and infirm. It sends a message to everyone on the spectrum of endangerment in your society. Everyone who feels threatened by police, economic forces, environmental threats, and more. It tells them that when they are under siege, they should expect no better, and give the same.