New York Governor Mario Cuomo, who is a Democrat, and who many have applauded for his professional response to COVID-19, was shocked. “You have to be kidding! This is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue; it’s an American life and death issue.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called out President Trump as cases of COVID-19 increased in her state. Whitmer responding to one of Trumps briefings said, “Mr. President, where are those PPE’s (personal protective equipment) going? Where are the tests? We have not seen them here (Michigan).
This of course brought on Trumps vengeance and that of his supporters as the Governor was threaten as protestors have lobbied and protested in the Michigan state house, with guns in clear site.
In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp, called for the opening of Barbershops, Beauty and Nail Salons, as well as Tattoo shops? None of which can practice social distancing in providing their routine services. Kemp is a Republican.
In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis allowed the beaches to remain open during March and thousands of college students migrated to the area as they usually do during Spring Break. Cases in Florida began to escalate and today, 31, 528 Floridians have tested posted for the virus and 1074 have died.
Of greater concern are the numbers of individuals that ventured to the sunshine state for Spring Break and returned to their campuses across the country. According to CDC reports from the time of exposure to the actual onset of illness for the virus is 10-14 days. Time in which one person can unawaring infect others.
Atlanta Major Keish Lance Bottoms opposed the suggestion to open and has encouraged the citizens of Atlanta to continue her “Stay Home and Stay Safe” policy until data and science show that the spread of COVID is going down in Georgia.
“Cases of coronavirus are not going down in Georgia,” stated Mayor Bottoms, adding “We have an increase over the past week in cases up 28% and the death rate of those infected with the virus is at 32.3%. Georgia is definitely not ready to open for business.
“Why the Barbershops, Beauty and Nail Salons? Georgia is the seventh worse state in terms of testing. This action is sending the wrong message,” stated Bottoms.
Not all cities and state governments are at odds. Two in particular New York and California where Governors Mario Cuomo and Newsom have been proactive in terms of their messaging and rallying (even in difficult times) the citizens of the state and neighboring states to follow CDC practices of social distancing and strategic plans of reopening.
The same can be said for New Jersey, the State is holding the line to open and staying closed for the next week as Mayor Ras Barakas is in full agreement.
“I am fully aware and extremely concerned with the need for our citizens to return to work. The question is at what cost? Noted Barakas, adding “Cases of the virus are not going down. Testing is not occurring at a sufficient rate. It is not time,” stated Barakas.
New Jersey has the second most cases of COVID-19 at 109, 039 with a reported 5,938 deaths. New York continues to lead the nation with 289,045 cases and 16,966 deaths.
“We need to get to a position that is pro-active not re-active. We really do not need patch work, but a real plan to keep our citizens safe,” stated Breea Clark, Mayor of Norman Oklahoma.
Notable: According to the CDC and most informed sources, data and science should dictate when a state or city re-opens. The key is testing! There should be a downward projection of cases in a 14 day period i.e., very few if any new cases and no deaths (CDC, 2020). Testing should occur at above 35% percentile.
Guest Columnist Danny L. White currently lives in Phoenix, AZ. He is the author and creative lead for the Sensational letter “S”, a children’s book focused on early reading comprehension and word development. He is also a Adjunct faculty member at Maricopa College, and staff reporter for the Arizona Informant. Author D.L.White, can be reached via email at [email protected]. White can be followed on Twitter @dwhiteQ2.