Biden Adviser Suggests Nationwide Lockdown [POLL]

NEW YORK — Collins English Dictionary recently announced its Word of the Year for 2020. It ruled out, but included on the short list, "coronavirus," "furlough" and "social distancing."

The dictionary's editors chose another coronavirus-related word — "lockdown," which is "the imposition of stringent restrictions on travel, social interaction and access to public spaces" — as the 2020 Word of the Year.

It was chosen, the editors explained, because "lockdown" is a "unifying experience for billions of people across the world" because of the new coronavirus pandemic.

As the United States sees the number of virus cases approaching 11 million and deaths of more than 244,000, some are questioning whether the country as a whole is doing enough to stem the spread.

A coronavirus advisor to President-elect Joseph Biden has suggested a nationwide lockdown.

Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center of Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said a four- to six-week lockdown could bring the spread of the virus down and even help revive the economy, WABC-7 reported.

He added that people could be compensated by the government for lost wages while businesses were not able to open.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has been serving on the White House coronavirus task force, said he feels people in the U.S. don't have the appetite for a lockdown, Business Insider said.

Appearing on "Good Morning America," he said that the country wouldn't need to lock down if people listened to medical experts and wore face masks and practiced social distancing.

Now it's your turn to weigh in on the issue. Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think in the comments.

This article originally appeared on the Bedford-Katonah Patch