Is it time? Is it safe?
What are the criteria for reopening?
This decision seems to be state, county and even municipality-specific. Federal guidelines initially noted the need to see SUSTAINED deceleration before reopening. “Sustained” meaning at least 14 days. In reality, very few states meet that criteria right now.
Test availability is also an important factor for reopening. CDC recommends 152 daily tests per every 100,000 people, which means in Iowa we should have the ability to run over 4,500 tests/day or 745 for the City of Des Moines alone. Iowa has not reached that level on any day since the beginning of this outbreak. Only Rhode Island and North Dakota have reached recommended testing levels.
So…if we’re not really meeting criteria for reopening, why are we?
This is my take – we definitely “flattened” the curve and made a substantial impact on what could have happened when the virus arrived in the US and Iowa. Yay US! What we’re seeing now may be the sustained new level of cases for the near future. Surges in surveillance testing, TestIowa, and greater availability overall in any state will muddy the true picture of activity BECAUSE not all positives are symptomatic, infectious cases. Don't view case counts as the full picture.
Yes, we need widespread testing capability and the PPE to support widespread testing. I believe we are still vulnerable without those protections in place. Exercising caution throughout the reopening phase is paramount.
What is wise?
• Pay attention to how businesses you engage with are reopening. Are they following capacity guidelines? Are they using PPE where appropriate?
• Continuing to watch to state and US activity. I know we’re so over this, but this is an ultra-marathon and the virus still presents significant risk to life as we know it.
• Be outside, but be distant. Don’t gather in groups. Make your besties those who followed the rules. See your family in small groups.
• Wear a mask in large, public stores. Keep your distance from other people.
• Continue limiting errands to essentials.
• BE AWARE of the risk YOU present to people who are especially vulnerable to this virus.
• If you need to get away, plan vacations within a day’s drive from your home. Consider staying in nature instead of cities (that’s our plan).
• Let go of expectations for concerts, events, and gatherings involving large groups of people. There will be a better time, maybe even a better year.
• Leave politics and criticism out of the conversation and stay focused on reliably-sourced information.
What are we doing (me and my family)?
We are spending time with close family who all followed the rules. We are still limiting errands. We are interacting with a few friends on the patio on occasion (less than five) who all followed the rules. I may start going back to the Y to use the pool towards the end of the month, but I’m not rushing into it. I have a haircut scheduled for June. We leave our shoes at the door, wash hands on entry, and use hand sanitizer when out and about (which is rare).