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Susan Wright on the Right

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Reopening During a Pandemic: Is it Now or Never?

Reopening During a Pandemic: Is it Now or Never?

Last updated on: May 16, 2020 at 8:59 am by Susan Wright

Reopening During a Pandemic: Is it Now or Never? 2020-05-16T08:59:31-04:00 Susan Wright

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I think the first question that needs to be answered, as we consider reopening our economy, is what does a reopening look like?

Do we just declare the Covid-19 threat null and void, tear down all the precautionary barriers in businesses and tell everybody to have at it?

Do we take the measured approach, picking and choosing which businesses are now suddenly safe to open, as well as those that should say closed until further notice?

One thing is for sure: We can’t keep our nation on lock-down indefinitely. There are lives being ruined, our security and national well-being have been shaken, and it couldn’t have happened at a worse time for us.

Of course, I’m speaking of the utter incompetence of our president, Donald Trump. There’s never a good time for a corrupt, immoral, and intensely ignorant leader at the helm, but during a pandemic it is especially perilous.

I’ve spoken of President Trump’s mishandling of the Covid-19 crisis previously, so I won’t get into it in detail again. It suffices to say that his compulsion to lie about it, from the weeks of covering it up, to the present day, has hurt us. His unwillingness to take personal responsibility, even as he repeatedly pushes fake (and potentially dangerous) remedies for the virus to the nation shows the folly of voters who have become so disengaged from intellect and decency that they would support such a man.

At this point, we know Donald Trump is a lost cause. He’ll continue to flail and rage against his perceived enemies. He shows no compassion for the sick or dying. He shuts down any attempts to speak candidly about the problem.

If we are to find a solution, it won’t come through our current president – although it is a better than safe bet that when a solution does appear, he’ll take credit for it.

I think a starting point for discussion should recognize that the federal government should not be calling the shots, as far as opening or remaining closed. In fact, the only role the federal government should have taken in this crisis is to act as a support for the states, as far as obtaining the necessary protective equipment for frontline workers or whatever other peripheral needs may arise.

I feel that in such an unprecedented dilemma, state and local government becomes particularly important. Bureaucrats from Washington are not “on the ground,” capable of surveilling the problem from the inside.

In large part, that role has been turned over to the states, but it may have come too late. Early floundering from the feds muddied the waters to the point that most states are simply lost.

Another issue is with testing. As more testing becomes available, more cases are uncovered. The idea, however, that we simply not test, in order that cases not spike just doesn’t make sense. It’s like an ostrich hiding its head in the sand. It doesn’t mean the cases aren’t there. It just means we don’t know about them because we didn’t test for them.

I believe that commonsense practices, such as frequent hand washing, using disinfectant on surfaces (such as phones, arm rests, keyboards, mouses, etc…), and turning our heads and covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze is the key to reopening.

A for instance is beauty parlors and nail shops. Wiping down the surfaces most commonly touched is an easy fix.

Keep a space between work stations, and allow beauticians or nail parlor technicians to continue to wear protective masks and gloves.

What about factories?

Depending on the actual production needs and the procedures involved, skeleton crews can begin the reopening process.

I’ve worked everything from textiles to lumber, when it comes to manufacturing. I know a little about how factories operate. There is ample opportunity to both run the production line, as well as maintain safe practices for the employees.

Restaurants with drive-through or delivery services have been ahead of the curve, when it comes to maneuvering life in a pandemic.

Speaking of which, delivery services, such as GrubHub or Door Dash are hiring. This presents an opportunity for employment, as well as a way to protect those most vulnerable.

Which brings me to my next point. If you are elderly, have issues that might make you more susceptible to infection, then take the extra time and measures to protect yourself. Take advantage of those delivery services, or curbside pickup.

Some grocery store chains are now filling orders online and delivering.

Stores like Walmart have already offered curbside pickup, and that service has proven to be a good idea.

One bit of news from the past couple of days is that Amazon founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos, is set to become the world’s first trillionaire, due to the increased demand on his company’s services.

Rather than hate on Bezos, as I’ve seen some of the perpetually aggrieved socialist set engaged in, I’m cheering him on! His business model is proof that innovation in times of crisis is vital and can be successful.

Ultimately, while there will be no simple fixes, I think overreaction is just as dangerous as not taking the threat seriously.

We must protect lives, but we can’t hide away forever. In fact, we can’t hide away for much longer, without damage to our society that will take ages to correct.

Open up, America, but be smart about it. Watch out for yourselves and your neighbors. We really are all in this together.

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