The important thing in a crisis is to be seen to be doing something. That way, the media can’t accuse you of inaction. Letting a virus run its course is not an option. You must throw money at it. That’s why Boris Johnson promised back in May to hire 25,000 contact tracers. These people have largely spent their time watching Netflix and goofing around:

Three months later, he is facing criticism after numerous reports that many of those hired for the program have nothing to do.

At least the UK’s socialized medicine bureaucrats have taken a step in the right direction:

On Monday, the National Health System announced that it would fire a third of those hired for contact tracing, from 18,000 down to 12,000.

Whether contact tracing is feasible or productive after a virus has spread throughout a population is debatable.

Let’s not single out the British. When it comes to extravagant COVID-19 waste, Democrats like Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey can top them easily:

This spending would largely come out of our savings through inflation.

On tips from Mr. Freemarket and Varla.

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