Coronavirus crisis is sure to spawn new political realities

The social and political response to major catastrophes often proceeds in stages. Stage 1 is denial. Thankfully, this stage is largely over for the coronavirus crisis. Not counting a few poltroons and conspiracy theorists, nobody is saying it's all hype or no big deal.

Now we're transitioning, in fits and starts, from Stage 2 to Stage 3.

Politicians and policymakers are taking the threat seriously, but lacking contingency plans and the mental bandwidth to deal with all of the challenges that are arising, they've