What happens when the coronavirus is prevalent and you send people out anyway?

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="We’re on the verge of finding out, thanks to some Republican-controlled states that are willing to serve as reopening guinea pigs. The governors of Georgia, South Carolina and Alaska are allowing some businesses to reopen this week, as long as they follow distancing and sanitary guidelines. Tennessee will allow many businesses to reopen May 1. Florida and several other states are working on reopening plans.” data-reactid=”17″>We’re on the verge of finding out, thanks to some Republican-controlled states that are willing to serve as reopening guinea pigs. The governors of Georgia, South Carolina and Alaska are allowing some businesses to reopen this week, as long as they follow distancing and sanitary guidelines. Tennessee will allow many businesses to reopen May 1. Florida and several other states are working on reopening plans.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="None of those states meets the Trump administration guidelines for reopening businesses. Those guidelines say, among other things, that a state must have a declining trajectory of coronavirus cases for 14 days straight before reopening. If the number rises for a single day, the clock resets and the 14-day countdown starts over again.” data-reactid=”18″>None of those states meets the Trump administration guidelines for reopening businesses. Those guidelines say, among other things, that a state must have a declining trajectory of coronavirus cases for 14 days straight before reopening. If the number rises for a single day, the clock resets and the 14-day countdown starts over again.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Yahoo Finance analyzed raw data on state-by-state test numbers collected by the Covid Tracking Project for the four states planning to reopen, through April 21. &nbsp;” data-reactid=”19″>Yahoo Finance analyzed raw data on state-by-state test numbers collected by the Covid Tracking Project for the four states planning to reopen, through April 21.  

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Alaska saw an increase in new daily cases from 2 on April 20 to 8 on April 21. The number is relatively small, but according to the Trump guidelines, the 14-day countdown should have started over on April 21, making the earliest possible reopening date May 5, as long as the case count drops consistently till then.” data-reactid=”20″>Alaska saw an increase in new daily cases from 2 on April 20 to 8 on April 21. The number is relatively small, but according to the Trump guidelines, the 14-day countdown should have started over on April 21, making the earliest possible reopening date May 5, as long as the case count drops consistently till then.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Georgia had an increase in the number of daily confirmed cases from 646 on April 20 to 934 on April 21. Its earliest possible reopening date should be May 5.” data-reactid=”21″>Georgia had an increase in the number of daily confirmed cases from 646 on April 20 to 934 on April 21. Its earliest possible reopening date should be May 5.

Emory Hospital RN Aisha Bennett takes a nasal swab at a pilot large scale drive-through COVID-19 testing site in the Georgia International Horse Park on Thursday, April 16, 2020, in Conyers, Ga. Testing is by appointment only and open to anyone in the general public who believes they are ill with COVID-19. According to Chad Wasdin, communications director for the Gwinnett Rockdale Newton Health Departments, due to increased testing capacity 400 appointments are scheduled for anyone who thinks they may be ill with the virus. While the Health Department requires a scheduled appointment to test individuals, referral from a doctor is not necessary. There is no charge for the testing, and those tested do not need to provide health insurance information. "We look forward to piloting this large-scale test site," said Dr. Audrey Arona, district health director and CEO of Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments. "This is a fantastic collaboration between Rockdale and Newton county governments, their EMAs, and the Health Department. Testing will provide individuals in the community an opportunity to learn if their illness is consistent with the COVID-19 virus, and it will help us improve our plans for providing large-scale testing. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)Emory Hospital RN Aisha Bennett takes a nasal swab at a pilot large scale drive-through COVID-19 testing site in the Georgia International Horse Park on Thursday, April 16, 2020, in Conyers, Ga. Testing is by appointment only and open to anyone in the general public who believes they are ill with COVID-19. According to Chad Wasdin, communications director for the Gwinnett Rockdale Newton Health Departments, due to increased testing capacity 400 appointments are scheduled for anyone who thinks they may be ill with the virus. While the Health Department requires a scheduled appointment to test individuals, referral from a doctor is not necessary. There is no charge for the testing, and those tested do not need to provide health insurance information. "We look forward to piloting this large-scale test site," said Dr. Audrey Arona, district health director and CEO of Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments. "This is a fantastic collaboration between Rockdale and Newton county governments, their EMAs, and the Health Department. Testing will provide individuals in the community an opportunity to learn if their illness is consistent with the COVID-19 virus, and it will help us improve our plans for providing large-scale testing. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Emory Hospital RN Aisha Bennett takes a nasal swab at a pilot large scale drive-through COVID-19 testing site in the Georgia International Horse Park on April 16, 2020, in Conyers, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The data for South Carolina are a bit sketchy, because there were 0 new daily cases on April 20 and several other dates. But that’s probably a reporting lag or irregularity. For dates with numbers, there were 103 new cases on April 15; 275 on April 17; 315 on April 18; 131 on April 19; and 62 on April 21. If those numbers are legit, the recent peak was April 18, which would make the earliest possible reopening date May 2.” data-reactid=”33″>The data for South Carolina are a bit sketchy, because there were 0 new daily cases on April 20 and several other dates. But that’s probably a reporting lag or irregularity. For dates with numbers, there were 103 new cases on April 15; 275 on April 17; 315 on April 18; 131 on April 19; and 62 on April 21. If those numbers are legit, the recent peak was April 18, which would make the earliest possible reopening date May 2.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="In Tennessee, the recent peak was 308 new cases on April 19. It dropped to 168 and then 156 during the next two days. So the appropriate reopening date would be May 3 if the downward trend remains unbroken. That’s only two days later than the governor plans to reopen—but he’s not making reopening contingent on a downward trajectory.” data-reactid=”34″>In Tennessee, the recent peak was 308 new cases on April 19. It dropped to 168 and then 156 during the next two days. So the appropriate reopening date would be May 3 if the downward trend remains unbroken. That’s only two days later than the governor plans to reopen—but he’s not making reopening contingent on a downward trajectory.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="In Florida, the number of new cases rose from 664 on April 20 to 835 on April 21. The curve is not descending, yet Gov. Ron DeSantis has hinted he wants to lift stay-at-home orders soon. Jacksonville has already reopened its beaches.” data-reactid=”35″>In Florida, the number of new cases rose from 664 on April 20 to 835 on April 21. The curve is not descending, yet Gov. Ron DeSantis has hinted he wants to lift stay-at-home orders soon. Jacksonville has already reopened its beaches.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The Trump guidelines aren’t binding, and states are free to ignore them, as these four are. But the guidelines are meant to reduce the odds of a resurgence in infections that forces business closures all over again and possibly causes panic among workers who feel employers are jeopardizing their safety by forcing them back to crowded workplaces where they could get sick. One missing piece of a careful reopening plan is widespread testing that lets employers identify those who carry the virus, and send them home so they can’t infect others. The United States is doing about 150,00 tests per day, but experts say it will take 3 to 20 times that number to effectively screen people and contain the virus with confidence.” data-reactid=”36″>The Trump guidelines aren’t binding, and states are free to ignore them, as these four are. But the guidelines are meant to reduce the odds of a resurgence in infections that forces business closures all over again and possibly causes panic among workers who feel employers are jeopardizing their safety by forcing them back to crowded workplaces where they could get sick. One missing piece of a careful reopening plan is widespread testing that lets employers identify those who carry the virus, and send them home so they can’t infect others. The United States is doing about 150,00 tests per day, but experts say it will take 3 to 20 times that number to effectively screen people and contain the virus with confidence.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, listens as Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, right, speaks during a news conference in front of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mobile command center at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, April 8, 2020, in Miami Beach, Fla. The Corps of Engineers will transform the newly renovated facility into a hospital by April 27, news outlets reported Tuesday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, listens as Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, right, speaks during a news conference in front of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mobile command center at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, April 8, 2020, in Miami Beach, Fla. The Corps of Engineers will transform the newly renovated facility into a hospital by April 27, news outlets reported Tuesday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, listens as Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, speaks during a news conference in front of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mobile command center at the Miami Beach Convention Center, April 8, 2020, in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Trump has undermined his own guidelines by encouraging protests, through his notorious “LIBERATE” tweets, against shutdowns in Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia. Trump has said several times that “we can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” meaning the economic damage caused by the coronavirus shutdown could be worse than the illnesses and deaths caused by the virus. Attorney General William Barr even said he’d consider legal action against states that unnecessarily prolong lockdowns.” data-reactid=”52″>Trump has undermined his own guidelines by encouraging protests, through his notorious “LIBERATE” tweets, against shutdowns in Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia. Trump has said several times that “we can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” meaning the economic damage caused by the coronavirus shutdown could be worse than the illnesses and deaths caused by the virus. Attorney General William Barr even said he’d consider legal action against states that unnecessarily prolong lockdowns.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Most Americans prioritize safety over a quick return to normal activity. In an April 14 Gallup survey, 71% of respondents said they want to wait and see what happens once governors lift lockdown orders. Only 20% said they want to get back to normal “immediately.” Republicans are more willing to start going back out, with 31% saying they want to get back to normal immediately, compared with just 11% of Democrats.” data-reactid=”53″>Most Americans prioritize safety over a quick return to normal activity. In an April 14 Gallup survey, 71% of respondents said they want to wait and see what happens once governors lift lockdown orders. Only 20% said they want to get back to normal “immediately.” Republicans are more willing to start going back out, with 31% saying they want to get back to normal immediately, compared with just 11% of Democrats.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The Republican guinea-pig states could help illuminate what might happen if governors let businesses reopen and infections spike again, which economists and public health experts consider a worst-case scenario that would cause needless deaths and deepen the recession. It’s also not clear if workers will return to their jobs, or shoppers to stores. Smithfield and Tyson Foods have had to close meat processing plants recently because coronavirus outbreaks made some workers sick and others refused to show up.” data-reactid=”54″>The Republican guinea-pig states could help illuminate what might happen if governors let businesses reopen and infections spike again, which economists and public health experts consider a worst-case scenario that would cause needless deaths and deepen the recession. It’s also not clear if workers will return to their jobs, or shoppers to stores. Smithfield and Tyson Foods have had to close meat processing plants recently because coronavirus outbreaks made some workers sick and others refused to show up.

It’s also possible reopenings in the four states could go better than expected and provide a template for other states. Yet even Brian Kemp, governor of Georgia, acknowledged, “when we have more people moving around, we’re probably going to see cases continue to go up.” Who wants to go first?

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Rick Newman is the author of four books, including “Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success.” Follow him on Twitter:&nbsp;@rickjnewman. Confidential tip line:&nbsp;[email protected].&nbsp;Encrypted communication available. Click here to&nbsp;get Rick’s stories by email.” data-reactid=”56″>Rick Newman is the author of four books, including “Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success.” Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman. Confidential tip line: [email protected]. Encrypted communication available. Click here to get Rick’s stories by email.

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