Country needs our protection from pandemic, too

coronovirus

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Nobody knew the number “15” could be so challenging and deadly. Challenging for citizens to do their best to social distance for at least 15 days, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Deadly to our nation’s economy.

Despite this, we’ve been a mostly cooperative group because Americans tend to be try-hards when it comes to protecting our citizens. Our regulation nation does whatever it can to protect us from every disease, accident and tragedy.

That we’ll all be safe and well is what everyone wants, but we can never fully succeed in that quest. Living is still, and always will be, a risky business. According to the National Safety Council, nearly 39,000 died in car accidents last year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that recent past flu seasons have seen as many as 61,000 deaths in one year. Based on data from the National Institute of Mental Health, 47,000 died from suicide in 2017. And the National Cancer Institute says that nearly 610,000 died from cancer in 2018.

These casualties were important, too—all people loved by someone. But none of these diseases, accidents or tragedies triggered a complete shutdown of our economy.

We’re braking hard right now for the global pandemic and national emergency that is COVID-19. It’s already taken hundreds of American lives, and it will take many more. The majority of deaths from this virus occur in the elderly, who also have serious underlying health conditions.

According to the CDC, the virus has an incubation of 2 – 14 days after exposure before symptoms may appear. It makes the “15 Days to Slow the Spread,” plan sound reasonable.

Nursing homes, schools, churches, restaurants, bars, sporting events, festivals, concerts, non-profit fundraising dinners, and many small businesses and large corporations have been shuttered during this time. It’s an effort to reduce personal contacts in order to reduce the number of infections and hospitalizations. Flattening the curve can avoid spikes that could overwhelm our health care providers.

But grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies and essential businesses remain open and are continuing to receive foot traffic. People still need food, gas, medicine, and other essential supplies and services. Turns out that immobilizing 300,000,000 people for long periods of time just isn’t that easy. Basic human needs must still be met.

It’s too soon to tell whether or not 15 days will flatten the curve. The experts could be right, or they could be wrong. At this point, it doesn’t matter.

If they’re right and it worked, we can take what we’ve learned about virus containment and slowly and cautiously restart our economy. If the experts are wrong and it didn’t work, we have to seriously question the amount of public good that can be done by continuing restrictions.

For example, coronavirus cases are soaring in New York City. Response Coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, stated, “Clearly, the virus has been circulating there for a number of weeks…” It’s possible that the virus is already too far ahead of us.

What we do know, though, is that our economy went from robust and healthy to one that is on life support. Whether the experts are right or wrong, at the end of this 15-day period, it will be time to make an adjustment in favor of restoring economic health.

We can continue to protect the elderly, children, and those with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions. Let their 15 days become 15 weeks, if necessary.

For the rest of us—who are healthy and able to work—be ready for the call to get this country’s economy back on the move.

Even one coronavirus death is too many. But our country is dying and needs our protection, too.

8 thoughts on “Country needs our protection from pandemic, too”

  2. Just want you to know again, that I always enjoy your thoughts. Fair and balanced; insightful and thought provoking. Thanks. I hope your family and business are getting through this challenge.

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  3. Hey Sandy

    It would be great if this could happen. The “Easter Miracle” as trump has heralded probably is not going to happen. All you have to do is listen to Dr. Fauci who contradicts pretty much everything that is spoken by trump. The important part of your piece is that no one knows. The US is actually experiencing more 20-40 year old infections than China and Italy. Why? No one knows. But having someone cite “American Exceptionalism” as a reason this won’t be as bad here and we will be ahead of it because we are America, or my favorite – it is a Democrat hoax, might keep some in a false sense that they won’t get it. I have a lot of friends in health care who are being told that most of us will get it unless a cure is found. If we all get it at the same time, many more will die without access to ventilators and hospitalization. Hospitals are already overwhelmed. Staying separated can only help with having fewer infected over a longer period of time utilizing the healthcare system we have in place. If the worst case scenario happens, 2 million Americans die. Where do those bodies go? Most people recover, but again no guarantees. There are no answers, but China is seeing less infections and deaths. South Korea has better tech and lower infection rates than we have. I am not one for going back into an office complex with 14,000 people working there right now. Once again those who suffer the most are the poor and lower middle class. $1200 checks will help a few people for awhile buy necessities, but then what? We are another $2 trillion in debt, fortunately with protections from some of that money , by Democrats, to not go to trump owned businesses. trump eliminated within a year of taking office the pandemic group who maybe could have been ahead of this. He has slashed funding for the CDC and the Senate was doing that again in February right before hell broke lose. He blames the previous administration for this! It’s been 3 1/2 years, maybe he could have done something? What gets me is that his followers still think he is Jesus. He takes no responsibility and downplays what is happening and continues to attack reporters who are stating the factual things he has said and tweeted about the virus. Our economy, as the worlds, is screwed for quite awhile. I do think that certain small businesses that have limited or possibly no contact with people such as landscapers, architects, dry cleaners, etc should be allowed to stay open. People are going to get groceries and pharmaceuticals, so other businesses should be allowed with safety precautions to stay open. Travel, hotels, airlines, theme parks, restaurants, etc are all screwed. Hopefully we and our loved ones live through this. If you go back to work, stay safe. Best to all our families. We will need it during this.

    On Wed, Mar 25, 2020 at 6:16 AM Moving the Conversation Along wrote:

    > Sandra Halvorson Reicks posted: ” Nobody knew the number “15” could be so > challenging and deadly. Challenging for citizens to do their best to social > distance for at least 15 days, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. > Deadly to our nation’s economy. Despite this, we’ve been a mostl” >

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    • Hi Ron.i do think it will be a long process, but at least I think we can all agree that we want to begin to repair our economy as soon as possible. Of course, the big question is when. Sounds like the Trump administration is going to start discussing that question next week. Stay well and stay safe!

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  4. Two trillion plus, and Pelosi, Schumer already talking about the next stimulus package!! Being an election year, I suspect we have a much bigger problem here than the flu. Joe, Denver, Iowa

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