My suggested missile defense approach to defense against the coronavirus would require a layered defense involving a futuristic breathalyzer and inhaler.
I assume the virus is mostly transmitted by droplets in coughs, but the problem of pneumonia is caused by virus in the lungs, not the nose or throat. So I suggest the first layer of defense would be to examine a person who tries to enter a previously sterilized facility through a secure positive pressure revolving door. The interior of the revolving door would be sterilized to intercept any virus on the person.
The person would first blow into a breath analyzer that would capture the air from the lungs. After a strong exhale into the collector, a breath analyzer would detect any virus in exhaled droplets. An as-yet-to-be-developed sensor could be an instant laser induced fluorescence and spectral analyses. I assume the fluorescence is unique, but this needs to be determined. This is similar to the mid course discrimination problem where we require an excellent ROC curve.
This sensor could be embodied in a miniaturized virus breathalyzer including a miniature laser and light spectrum analyzer. If the sensor is very sensitive, but not very specific, an RNA based very specific real time sensor might be necessary after the first positive reading.
If the virus is detected, the next layer would trigger the intercept of the virus. This would be an inhaler function possibly attached to the analyzer that sprays a virus killing drug into the lungs. Such drugs have already been demonstrated in vitro and are being tested in hospitals.
If the result is a true negative, the person is allowed to enter the already certified facility. The next layer is needed if the person is detected as a true positive, and after treatment with the inhaler, entrance is prohibited by the door.
The next layer of defense begins with a GPS labeled signal that is sent to the defense management computer. Information giving the detection and treatment information then permits contact tracking and follow up of the person.
SDI Guy 
Gerry,
This is a great idea! Additionally, if the system could be built cost effectively, such that every household had one, people could test themselves at home, and the data could be instantly uploaded to a national database allowing the appropriate experts to have virtually real-time data on the infection specifics AND its location.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Steve
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GY: You offer some innovative technical possibilities for virus detection and contagion mitigation. You have prior experience in brainstorming full-spectrum, system solutions to complex scenarios. So how would you propose to overcome a significant “1984/Big Brother” socio-political push back for this or similar solutions as perceived to be unacceptable invasions of personal privacy?
Frequently national policy decisions occur with a ratio of maybe 90% politics and 10% technical. Assuming a technology would progress through prototyping, in today’s polarized environment how could it successfully be marketed to whichever administration is in power?
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If the disease is spreading and millions are dying, tracing the infection will be required by law and widely accepted.
If the disease is very limited, infected people may object to answering questions about their activities.
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I wonder why an infected person would not want to help find other infected people?
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I almost hesitate to reply using this analogy, but in a similar fashion why don’t people inflicted with STDs typically rat out on all the contacts they’ve been with and those contacts and those contacts, etc? Maybe it’s not a meaningful comparison, but the behavior has to do with an avoidance for taking personal responsibility and accountability.
Still seems to be to be a hard sell to avoid a slippery slope encroachment on civil liberties, short of marshall law. But of course these are social challenges, not science.
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Survival of a free society requires that the citizens be responsible and accountable.
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Interesting ideas, Gerry. Oleta
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