Public behavior led the way on COVID lockdowns -- and it will lead us out

Likewise, I suspect that the return to normal will be driven by the public. With cases and hospitalizations having dropped dramatically and millions of people getting vaccine doses each day, more and more people will begin to ease up. Those who receive two doses are likely going to start to resume regular activities. They aren’t going to wait until July 4 for President Biden to give them the all clear to hang out with their families.

Of course, there is a certain point at which actual restrictions have to be lifted for things to truly get back to normal. People can’t send their children to schools that aren’t open or hold large indoor weddings in localities that are still enforcing capacity limits. But as people become more active in their personal lives and comfortable interacting socially, it will put more pressure on state and local officials to relax restrictions. And as restrictions lift without an accompanying surge in hospital visits, it will create a certain momentum that will force more openings.