How to keep protecting lives and livelihoods during this pandemic
If there is anything I have learned during this unprecedented period in history, it is that I am not an epidemiologist. Toward the end of last month, we learned of data that warned us that if we did not sustain social distancing measures through at least the end of this month, the United States could lose more than a million people due to COVID-19. The end of March is when most of the country began to recognize the severity and widespread scope of the coronavirus. It is when we recognized that the actions we take on a daily basis could be the difference between life and death for the people in our communities.
The virus’ spread has accelerated over the last few weeks, and we are now approaching our national apex. Selfless health care workers in cities like New York City, New Orleans and Detroit are risking their own health and their lives as they are overwhelmed by high volumes of coronavirus patients. Workers in Chicago, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Miami, Baltimore and Houston are bracing for the same.
COVID-19 has stricken both public figures – such as Tom Hanks, Kevin Durant, Senator Rand Paul and Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson – and the most vulnerable among us. This country is well on its way to one million cases of COVID-19 and, tragically, 60,000 deaths. By the time its spread begins to slow, many of us will likely know someone who has perished from this new disease.
We know that COVID-19 is incredibly transmissible and highly contagious. We know that it can be devastating for anyone who is especially vulnerable, such as the elderly and those with preexisting medical conditions. While new therapies may help alleviate some symptoms for certain groups, no one will be immune to this until a vaccine is on the market. We also know that when containment fails, we must proceed to mitigation. This involves incredibly disruptive measures, such as closing schools, restaurants and barbershops as well as cancelling sporting events and conventions. The American people understand that it is our solemn duty and moral obligation to protect ourselves and each other from COVID-19, and most of us who can are doing our part admirably by staying home. This virus does not respect borders, nor does it discriminate by race, ethnicity or political affiliation. We, as Americans, must be united to defeat it. The motto for now is “stay home, slow the spread, save lives.”
During the remainder of April, only essential services should remain open. Grocery stores and pharmacies should continue adopting physical/social distancing protocols, such as mandating that customers stand six feet apart in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, limiting capacity at stores and creating special hours for senior citizens and people with preexisting conditions. Mass gatherings of any size should be cancelled or postponed, and if it becomes a problem, law enforcement should reserve the right to disperse them and issue fines and potentially summons. Any non-essential business that remains open should receive a warning and then a fine or mandatory closure.
In addition, Americans should only be leaving their homes for the following essential reasons: shopping for essential products such as groceries or medication, seeking treatment from a medical provider, going to work if you are an essential worker, one form of exercise per day alone or with your immediate family (such as hiking, running, biking or walking your pet) and caring for a family member or relative. This means no non-essential gatherings like birthday parties, dinner parties or sleepovers.
However, it will be difficult to continue these distancing practices until a safe and affordable vaccine is widely available. It is unsustainable to simply pay people to stay home for months at a time. When we are far enough on the other side of the apex, our policymakers must make tough and gruesome decisions about reopening the country while protecting public health and the livelihoods of their citizens. Act too early and you risk a spike in infections and an even more overwhelmed healthcare system, leading to more death and suffering. Act too late and you risk turning the current recession into an economic crisis rivaling the Great Depression.
However, there must be widespread, point-of-care testing nationwide before we even talk about lifting any stay-at-home orders. Abbott Laboratories has produced an FDA-approved five to 15-minute test that can be taken in an urgent care facility and potentially even your own home. These need to be distributed by the millions within the next few weeks. Even more critical are antibody tests, which could determine who can participate in the early stages of reopening the country.
After America has the coronavirus under control, we should work toward a gradual and safe reopening of restaurants, schools, retail stores and most office spaces. All of this is based on the premise that life will not return to normal until there is a vaccine. But, aiming for 90% normalcy is something that can be possible if everyone does their part.
To ensure good health and peace of mind for all Americans, we need to enforce safety and sanitation measures when schools and businesses reopen. Just like we submit to bag checks at airports, we should undergo temperature checks to detect fevers and any other COVID-19 symptoms. There must also be hand sanitizer stations readily available for all employees, students, teachers and patrons. Initially, non-essential business should operate at 50% capacity to ensure effective social distancing.
The Bible says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The determination and resilience of the people in our country over the last several weeks has been astounding, and I am confident that this will continue even more fervently in the very difficult weeks that lie ahead of us. Our future is in our own hands, and the choices and sacrifices we make today will determine how we live tomorrow. We now know that this invisible enemy is very visible in our hospitals, in our communities and in the fabric of our nation. We will descend the other side of the mountain full of pride, patriotism and love of our neighbor because out of many, we are truly one.
Greg DeLapi is a sophomore political science major from Babylon, New York.
