The immediate goal is to prevent large numbers of people from dying now. When the virus spreads rapidly, the health care system is overwhelmed and thousands of people die. Social distancing is proven to reduce the death rate. At this point it is not possible to stop the virus. That is not a goal. But it is possible to dramatically reduce the death rate. It is without doubt an ethical imperative.

In the meantime, clinical trials are going on for anti-viral drugs, and trials are starting for vaccines. The ultimate goal is to keep as many people as possible alive until effective medications and vaccines are available. That does offer a hope of stopping the virus, or at least getting so it is no worse than the seasonal flu. Probably not this year, but in two years it is likely.