There is good news and there is bad news. The good news is that the efforts of everyone sheltering in place are paying off and saving lives. Unfortunately that doesn't mean that we can go back to business as usual. The shelter in place order for CA is in effect until May 3rd and it doesn't look like it will be completely lifted by that date. Gov. Gavin Newsom said, that he is hopeful and as soon as ICU numbers decline, more personal protective equipment is available, and contact tracing infrastructure is ready, then he would be able to give a timeline for when California could reopen. The first week of May is the date that he is looking towards to make that announcement. One of the major factors in reopening is the ability to test more people for COVID-19. Gov. Newsom previously said 6 major factors would have to be in place before the state would reopen.
The six milestones are as follows:
- If the state has expanded testing, contact tracing of COVID-19 patients, and the ability to isolate and support people who have tested positive or were exposed to COVID-19.
- Whether the state protect its most vulnerable residents — the elderly and medically vulnerable — from COVID-19 by quickly containing outbreaks in facilities such as nursing homes and prisons.
- How well the state's hospital and health systems can handle surges in COVID-19 patients.
- Whether the state has developed new treatments for the coronavirus by working with private, public and academic partners.
- If businesses, schools and child care facilities can maintain social distancing, including state guidelines requiring health checks for employees and customers who enter.
- Whether the state has determined when it will reinstate virus containment measures, including stay-home orders, by tracking the right data and quickly communicating those measures to the public.
Gov. Gavin Newsom did announce that he was going to now allow hospitals to begin scheduling surgeries again. Baby steps...When do you think the state will reopen?
Photo: Getty