Social Distancing: It's a THING pt. 2
I just wanted a place to put this Atlanta Journal Constitution article in regards to Govenor Kemps decision on the shelter-in-place and to slowly start to open up GA. This is purly for my future referecne. I am hopeful that people will make the right decisons for their familes and situations, empathically.
Q: The governor just last week said it was too early to talk about reopening the economy. What changed?
A: Kemp cited reports of declining emergency room visits for flu-like illnesses, expanded hospital bed capacity and projections that show Georgia’s peak may be in the rear-view mirror. He also said documented COVID-19 cases have “flattened and appear to be declining.”
There are other factors, too. President Donald Trump has pushed states to begin easing the restrictions, and Kemp has faced urgent calls from some of his conservative allies to start rolling back the limits.
Q: What about testing?
A: Georgia still lags most other states in testing per capita, and experts say the state lacks the testing capacity needed to detect the true scope of the disease as well as the resources required to trace the contacts of infected people.
But Kemp said a ramp-up in testing was in the works, with help from the Medical College of Georgia to boost capacity. State health officials also plan to beef up contact tracing, which identifies people with the virus and follows their movements, as they may have infected others.
He said he expects the number of cases to continue to rise, but that the state is more prepared to cope with a rise because of the increased capacity, knowledgeable healthcare workers and “community knowledge” of the disease.
Q: What must businesses do to reopen?
A: Kemp stressed they won’t resume operations with “business as usual.” They must meet 20 guidelines set out by the governor’s office, including screening workers for symptoms of the disease, improving workplace sanitation, wearing masks and gloves if appropriate, separating workspaces by at least six feet and teleworking when possible.
Of course, meeting those requirements is more difficult in the cramped quarters of many stores and restaurants – and it’s impossible to socially distance at a barber shop or tattoo parlor.
“The private sector is going to have to convince the public that it’s safe to come back to their businesses,” Kemp said. “We’ve seen some very innovative people out there making those changes to their business practice. It’s what a barber is going to have to do, a hair salon is going to have to do.”
Q: What do public health experts say about the strategy?
A: Many are critical of Kemp’s approach. Dr. Harry Heiman of Georgia State University’s School of Public Health said he was skeptical that Georgia was ready for a “worst-case scenario” if the disease re-emerges. And Dr. Marc Lipsitch of Harvard University said it’s “almost for certain” Georgia would be hit again by another wave of the disease.
Dr. Carlos del Rio, an Emory University infectious disease specialist, was more guarded in his response, preferring to praise Kemp for his efforts to scale up testing. But he said he disagreed with Kemp’s rollback, and said the focus should be on increasing tests to help inform future decisions.
(Another thought....can we hear from the experts that Governor Kemp spoke with? I want to know what he knows, I guess I just want a more clear picture of his reasoning. That is elusive though at best.)
Q: What about politicians?
A: The governor’s allies lavished him with praise. U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed by Kemp in December, said it’s a sign there’s a “light at the end of the tunnel.” And Marietta Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin posted an itinerary that included a Friday haircut and a Monday visit to a restaurant.
Democrats were scathing in their response. Stacey Abrams, Kemp’s 2018 opponent, called the approach “dangerously incompetent.” And Nikema Williams, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, said his actions will “make this crisis even worse and put more Georgians at risk.”
Q: So, what about Kemp. What does he have to say about all this?
A: He gave a lengthy answer when asked about his mindset.
“I can tell you I don’t give a damn about politics right now. We’re talking about somebody that has put their whole life into building a business, that has people they love and work with every single day working in many of these places, that are at home, going broke, worried about whether they can feed their children, make the mortgage payment.
“These are tough decisions, no doubt, and I’ve had to make many of them. And I can promise you I will have to make more. But we also have got to think about the effects on our economy and these individuals from a mental health perspective, from a physical health perspective and literally for people being able to put food on their tables. And I believe this measured approach has got us to the time to trust our people and to keep going after and beating this virus, but doing it in a way that’s responsible.”
Here are the highlights I especially want to remember and want others (no one else reads this but...okay) to as well:
Q: The governor just last week said it was too early to talk about reopening the economy. What changed?
A: Kemp cited reports of declining emergency room visits for flu-like illnesses, expanded hospital bed capacity and projections that show Georgia’s peak may be in the rear-view mirror. He also said documented COVID-19 cases have “flattened and appear to be declining.”
There are other factors, too. President Donald Trump has pushed states to begin easing the restrictions, and Kemp has faced urgent calls from some of his conservative allies to start rolling back the limits.
Q: What about testing?
A: Georgia still lags most other states in testing per capita, and experts say the state lacks the testing capacity needed to detect the true scope of the disease as well as the resources required to trace the contacts of infected people.
But Kemp said a ramp-up in testing was in the works, with help from the Medical College of Georgia to boost capacity. State health officials also plan to beef up contact tracing, which identifies people with the virus and follows their movements, as they may have infected others.
He said he expects the number of cases to continue to rise, but that the state is more prepared to cope with a rise because of the increased capacity, knowledgeable healthcare workers and “community knowledge” of the disease.
A: Kemp stressed they won’t resume operations with “business as usual.” They must meet 20 guidelines set out by the governor’s office, including screening workers for symptoms of the disease, improving workplace sanitation, wearing masks and gloves if appropriate, separating workspaces by at least six feet and teleworking when possible.
Of course, meeting those requirements is more difficult in the cramped quarters of many stores and restaurants – and it’s impossible to socially distance at a barber shop or tattoo parlor.
“The private sector is going to have to convince the public that it’s safe to come back to their businesses,” Kemp said. “We’ve seen some very innovative people out there making those changes to their business practice. It’s what a barber is going to have to do, a hair salon is going to have to do.”
(I have a thought....will there be consumer backlash? Will enough people really feel comfortable to go to these businesses? Will these businesses have the support they need to be able to proceed with the measures in place? )
Q: What do public health experts say about the strategy?
A: Many are critical of Kemp’s approach. Dr. Harry Heiman of Georgia State University’s School of Public Health said he was skeptical that Georgia was ready for a “worst-case scenario” if the disease re-emerges. And Dr. Marc Lipsitch of Harvard University said it’s “almost for certain” Georgia would be hit again by another wave of the disease.
Dr. Carlos del Rio, an Emory University infectious disease specialist, was more guarded in his response, preferring to praise Kemp for his efforts to scale up testing. But he said he disagreed with Kemp’s rollback, and said the focus should be on increasing tests to help inform future decisions.
(Another thought....can we hear from the experts that Governor Kemp spoke with? I want to know what he knows, I guess I just want a more clear picture of his reasoning. That is elusive though at best.)
Q: What about politicians?
A: The governor’s allies lavished him with praise. U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed by Kemp in December, said it’s a sign there’s a “light at the end of the tunnel.” And Marietta Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin posted an itinerary that included a Friday haircut and a Monday visit to a restaurant.
Democrats were scathing in their response. Stacey Abrams, Kemp’s 2018 opponent, called the approach “dangerously incompetent.” And Nikema Williams, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, said his actions will “make this crisis even worse and put more Georgians at risk.”
Q: So, what about Kemp. What does he have to say about all this?
A: He gave a lengthy answer when asked about his mindset.
“I can tell you I don’t give a damn about politics right now. We’re talking about somebody that has put their whole life into building a business, that has people they love and work with every single day working in many of these places, that are at home, going broke, worried about whether they can feed their children, make the mortgage payment.
“These are tough decisions, no doubt, and I’ve had to make many of them. And I can promise you I will have to make more. But we also have got to think about the effects on our economy and these individuals from a mental health perspective, from a physical health perspective and literally for people being able to put food on their tables. And I believe this measured approach has got us to the time to trust our people and to keep going after and beating this virus, but doing it in a way that’s responsible.”
(What about the people who haven't been responsible, who've ignored directives and warnings and just continued "business as usual"? I'm so torn. Can we really trust each other? I don't know and I think that what this all boils down to....I think I am most anxious about people who don't seem to have any empathy. But maybe my perspective is wrong. Maybe it's their empathy for another's financial & mental plight that is truly driving this vehicle to reopen....)
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