The dilemma

You are sitting in your office with three stacks of paper. The epidemiologist's models project exponential spread beginning in 5 days. A coalition of 40 business owners has sent you a letter warning that a shutdown will bankrupt half of downtown within a month. The governor's office says they will 'defer to local leadership.' Your city council is split 4-3 against any restrictions. You have to make a public statement by 5pm today.

Your options

1. Announce a full shutdown effective tomorrow morning. Close all non-essential businesses and ban gatherings over 10 people.
2. Wait for the first confirmed local case before restricting anything. You cannot justify destroying livelihoods based on a projection.
3. Bring health officials and business owners into one room today. Announce a shared package: cancel events over 250, masks in public buildings, businesses stay open while you all watch the data together.