Let’s Not Undo ..

.. all the good effort .. let’s not re-do all the pain.

Let’s not waste what we’ve gained in the form of:

• Lower case count ..
• Lower hospitalization count ..
• Lower death count ..

.. because we’re impatient, have cabin fever or don’t believe .. or don’t behave.

Some states (including the one in which I live) are opening prematurely and potentially carelessly.

Prematurely in that:

• Our case counts are still increasing .. not close to the guidelines from the Federal Government.
• Georgia isn’t testing enough .. I don’t think any state is testing enough (spiffy site that lets you isolate your state).
• Of the four million tests that were to have been distributed by the end of March .. no one seemed to want to say that it’s not enough to distribute the tests .. you must process them. Testing shortcomings are rampant at present, but it does look like lab capacity is improving through deployment in commercial labs. I’m hopeful.

Georgia might meet the criteria for hospital beds and ICUs (I couldn’t find these numbers). It also sounds like PPE is finally flowing and medical staff is less strained. But even with impressive medical capacities, we are flying blind.

Carelessly in that the types of businesses the Georgia Governor has chosen to open (see “Georgia on my Mind ..“). The short version:

• It’s physically impossible to get a hair cut or style from six feet away.
• Or getting a tattoo .. or a massage.
• On Monday, restaurants and movie theatres were allowed to open (guidelines therein). Note that even at reduced capacity (seats in a theatre, tables in a restaurant) patrons who enter will touch the same door handles, interact with the same people for a duration, breathe the same air, use the same restrooms, etc.

It is incumbent on the individual businesses to:

• Protect their employees.
• Protect their customers.
• Protect against contributing to additional spread.
• .. and more. Many business have heard the call to open and what some businesses have said back.

Our discipline has flattened the curve and slowed the spread. The effort has been no less than tremendous. The numbers are lower than originally cited because of this. While this has proven to be an unbelievable challenge for many families, businesses and to our economy, it was the only tool in our kit to combat the virus at scale. We do not want to undo these efforts and prolong the pain.

The “Numbers are Good ..” because of our vigilance. Our vigilance ensures the Healthcare Heroes are not overwhelmed.

Be smart. If you go out, avoid close contact, large groups, and “Behave Like You Have It ..“. Assume others are similar risks to you as you are to them.

Stay connected. Stay safe. Stay home.