A Rational Way to Reopening Amid COVID-19 - the New York Way

Given the repeated calls from President Donald Trump to reopen American businesses amid the still spreading Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, his touting of an unproven drug as a remedy for the disease, and his absurd suggestion to ingesting disinfectants to cure the infection, the United States (US) is confronted by much uncertainty per the sensibleness of the chief executive to manage the growing grave health emergency. 

In lieu of needed leadership from the president, his repeated missteps on the COVID-19 pandemic, and his longing for an immediate restart of the US economy, even as total American infections from the pesky pathogen have now surpassed one-million with close to 58,000 deaths, then the rational science-based management of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo again emerges as a fitting model to America's pushback against COVID-19 and planning a pathway to reopening American society and economy.

Research modelers have increased the projection of American deaths from COVID-19 from 60,000 to 74,000 by August 2020, attributing the up tick on disease peaks, increase deaths, mobility data and the premature reopening of some US States like Georgia and Texas among others. 

On the other hand, Governor Cuomo has provided a rational snapshot to reopening his state that is based upon CDC guidelines and his frank reliance upon science given the varying societal components of the Empire State.

Speaking from Syracuse at his daily COVID-19 briefing, Cuomo reiterated that having hospital capacity at below 70% was a key factor. Other determinants named included a 14-day decline in hospitalizations, Cuomo said. Emphasizing that reopening New York would be done based upon logic and not emotions, Cuomo outlined that whenever reopening happened, it would be done in phases with construction/manufacturing included in the first phase. After that, there would be an identification of attraction nuisances; all these things would be done under consideration of the availability and use of PPE, use of social distancing and monitoring within businesses; COVID-19 testing per suggestions of 30 people for every 1,000; contact tracing and isolation of positive case patients.

Certainly, New York has a way to reopening amid this COVID-19 pandemic and that plan is based on science and logic per the various geographical regions of the State and not upon any haphazard leap in reasoning. Long live New York!