One of the news items that emerged during the pandemic, when it first started and before vaccines were available, was the opposition in many states (and protests against) the imposition of shutdown and social distancing measures. Many groups protested the measures calling these autocratic, undemocratic, or impinging upon the freedom of people to do as they wish to do. There are also many who opposed directives to vaccinate against disease, even if a vaccine did become available against the novel coronavirus. - Concepts and application: Based on the material on externalities, what might have been the reasoning of state governors and governments back then (including in RI) who imposed strict social distancing and quarantine measures, disregarding arguments favoring individual freedom? Why were/are there mask mandates? Use the concepts from this week (externalities) - defining and explaining them clearly - to justify your reasoning. - Concepts and application: What do you think the social costs were of not imposing any restrictions during the early, pre-vaccine days of COVID? What would have happened had there been no restrictions/mask mandates? Explain and use economic terms from the lectures and readings where possible. Application and critical thinking: In general, why do governments encourage people to get vaccines against COVID, the flu, or other diseases such as polio, smallpox, rubella, or tetanus