Risks of acting too early?

[rumandbiscuits]

“The scientific advice is clear – acting too early creates its own risks, so we will do what is right to keep people safe."*
*
This is a quote from a bbc news article I have just read. Just wondering if anybody knows exactly what the risk is of acting too early?

If people are quarantined too early then they will become bored and complacent and more likely to break the quarantine especially if many people don't believe it is necessary. All the time it is mainly able to be linked to people travelling in rather than randomly caught in the community, it can be slowed by people self-isolating.

Mainly the problem will be people.

1. cannot afford to restrict working, as need to eat and pay rent.
2. people do not comply with restrictions for any length of time.
3. economic impact will be greater if restrictions are longer.

Number 3 really matters. The UK has already been weakened by the B word. We need the money to pay for NHS, education, social services etc

Impact on the economy. Impact on the NHS by shutting down schools so nurses and doctors can't work as they need to look after children. Impact on individuals not able to earn money. Etc.

Seems to have worked very well for Singapore to go hard early.

Theoretically I'm 'non essential'. Housing. I look into domestic violence, elder neglect, child abuse, mould, damp, rodents every day. I'd argue the risk of deaths is pretty high if everyone like me buggers off home. More then the current risk of coronavirus.