Even during a raging public health disaster, caution and common sense usually make good law. Happily, a federal district judge in Delaware showed both virtues in a Nov. 19 order delaying proceedings in a public health case.

As most readers have preconceived notions about the disaster — and no, we’re not talking about the coronavirus pandemic — let’s not name it just yet. Instead, to understand why the judge’s caution was appropriate, let’s consider what’s at stake from the defendant’s point of view.