Implementing a worldwide, synchronized, two-week long strict quarantine could end the COVID-19 global pandemic. About 99% of infected individuals will show symptoms within the two weeks. Afterwards, healthy individuals could re-join the community, while sick ones would remain isolated until they stopped shedding the coronavirus. The quarantine would have a positive impact on the economy since it would be short, fully anticipated, and would restore confidence.
The problem, of course, is that it’s completely unrealistic.
Such a high degree of cooperation is unfeasible because countries would have an incentive to freeride on their neighbours’ efforts. In practice, governments are likely to continue to act in an uncoordinated manner, which could prolong the epidemic.
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