I am obviously not an expert in the coronavirus or in the workings of the economy, but I read widely and listen to experts interviewed on the radio and television. We are in the midst of a crisis, not only of personal physical health, but also of the health of the economy of our nation. President Trump, a successful businessman who has become wealthy through “The Art of the Deal,” understands the extreme pressure that the current lockdowns are putting on Americans. He had hoped to begin to open up businesses again by Easter, but was persuaded not to by Dr. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. But Dr. Fauci and his colleague, Dr. Brix, are medical professionals, not business people, just as President Trump is a business person and not a doctor. I would propose that these two sides come to a compromise on the current situation, and here is my suggestion to them.
Begin to open the economy on May 1, but with strict federal guidelines. Governors should participate in a conference call with the President in which these guidelines are spelled out to them very clearly.
- Anyone who ventures out of their home, yard, or car must wear a mask or other face covering such as a kerchief. States may choose to enact penalties for those who choose to disobey this mandate.
- Businesses would be allowed to reopen as long as they limited the number of individuals in their stores at any given time as is being currently done at Walmart. Stores with shopping carts would be required to continue to sanitize them after each customer use as most groceries are currently doing.,
- Businesses would be required to refuse entrance to anyone not wearing face protection.
- Signs reminding people to maintain a 6 ft. distance from others would be added to businesses which do not currently have them.
- Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs would not be allowed to reopen except to serve food through delivery or curb side.
- Schools and universities would remain closed for the remainder of the school year, finishing classes through on-line or mail, and graduation ceremonies would either be rescheduled for late summer or diplomas would be distributed by mail with no ceremony as the school chose.
- Families would be allowed to be out in parks as long as they maintained a 6 ft. distance from others and wore face masks.
- All concerts and sporting events would remain closed for at least another month.
Since many doctors doubt that the closing of businesses is really stopping the spread of the virus anyway, and since the economic and mental health of the country can not sustain much more of this enforced unemployment, I think my idea would be a very workable compromise.
Dr. Fauci would get the social distancing that his models deem so important to combatting the virus, and most Americans would be able to return to their jobs, lifting their spirits as well as their incomes. It would be a win-win solution. Would there be more coronavirus deaths? Of course. But there will be if we sit, unemployed in our living rooms, as well. But wearing protective masks, staying home if you feel unwell, and keeping social distance are all things that could be done with the reopening of business. And these are the things that Dr. Fauci and his experts claim are necessary. According to Harvard Health, “Scientific evidence suggests that positive emotions can help make life longer and healthier.” Conversely, then, negative emotions such as worry and depression can make you more prone to diseases. Perhaps happy re-employed Americans will be less likely to contract COVID-19! Isn’t it worth the try?