Open borders in the midst of a pandemic

The Arabian Gulf, known for its torrid summer heat, is at its best during the short winter. December is particularly lovely, with warm daytime temperatures, cool nights, light winds and calm seas. Perfect vacation weather compared to northern Europe, dank and gloomy and throttled by lockdowns and COVID-induced travel bans. What better time to start reopening Dubai for mass tourism after months of lockdowns than the December holiday season?

The United Arab Emirates is technically one nation, but in some areas the seven individual, constituent states have…