It will also be important to continue to practice social distancing. When bars, clubs and restaurants reopen, they and their patrons will still need to find ways to keep people spaced out. When church services resume, congregants should not go around hugging and shaking hands just yet.

Additionally, business and public places where people will be packed together should consider screening people before entry. Transmission from those who are asymptomatic will still be a threat, but we can reduce the risk by sending those with fevers or coronavirus symptoms home. Screening should also be instituted to protect the most vulnerable; nursing homes, assisted living facilities, senior centers, and similar places should be checking everyone who comes through their doors—visits to grandma should begin with a temperature check and a surgical mask.

While the most aggressive of these measures will roll back once the pandemic passes, it would be good if we remain more conscientious of those who are more vulnerable to disease than we are. There are a lot of problems with the comparisons between the ordinary flu and the coronavirus pandemic, but they do highlight that we should be getting our flu shots each year—and if you don’t, then stay away from the old folks and the babies.