It’s been over five weeks since Canada and the U.S. began their business, school and other closures and the cancellations of multiple activities, including sporting events, concerts, festivals, etc., etc. By limiting the exposure of citizens to COVID-19 in the community, the authorities had hoped to “flatten the curve” as it pertains to new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and mortality rates. In Canada, we now have about 37,000 confirmed cases and almost 1,700 deaths. In the U.S., there are over 2,400,000 confirmed cases and over 42,000 deaths to date. In both countries, health authorities note that the peak has yet to be reached, although there appears to be some affected areas that have begun to plateau in their daily numbers.
National governments, states/provinces and cities have begun to plan for the possible phased-in opening up of their economies. However, before doing so, health authorities are warning that adequate testing for the virus must be in place, physical distancing restrictions maintained and on-going health surveillance of those who have had the virus and survived. Some have suggested that electronic tracing methods should be implemented to alert individuals who may have come into contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19. This of course raises privacy issues for people who could then be remotely tracked by such technologies.
In addition, a phased-in approach would mean that certain types of businesses and activities would be initially reopened because of the low probability of disease spread. The ability of businesses to control their environment and provide for worker and customer protection and safety would be one key ingredient in determining which would open first, although often in a limited manner. Many variables and conditions would have to be met in order to minimize the danger to both customers and workers. This will not happen over night and will require careful and thorough planning on the part of the authorities and business operators.
There is little doubt that as the shutdown has had a devastating impact on the economy and individual’s livelihoods. However, one cannot merely reopen everything at once and various priorities have to be met to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 in the population. Scientists and researchers need more time to assess issues related to peoples’ immunity, potential effective treatments and eventually a possible vaccine. Simply protesting the current shut-down and risking one’s life will not change the realities of the situation. If one goes too quickly, one risks exacerbating the health impact of the disease and overloading the health care systems. How many more deaths are we willing to risk by moving too fast? In the interim, for the sake of the community and our loved ones, we can all help by staying home and being safe.
FROLITICKS 