The ‘Loneliness Epidemic’ We All Saw Coming

Many of those who encouraged social isolation now seek to distance themselves from its deleterious consequences.

For too much of this young decade, social isolation was presented as a virtue — an “ethical duty” even. This week, the horrible consequences of what should have been an option of last resort are being met with some urgency by the very public-health establishment that implored you to keep to yourself.

An 81-page report released this week by Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned of a crisis of loneliness afflicting the American public. His...