As the first wave of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 begins to ebb, many Coloradans have started becoming slack about following the safety measures that have been proven to help slow the spread of this dread disease.
We have been lulled into thinking that we are safe from contracting or spreading the illness by the consistently low transmission rates being recorded in certain communities. Not to mention a sitting president and vice-president who are at pains to assure us that the possibility of a second wave hitting our hospital system is zero.
But as the situation stands, there are 1 000+ people in Coloradan hospitals awaiting treatment for severe symptoms and an extra almost 200 waiting on care before receiving their test results. The direction we’re heading in terms of hospital admissions looks terrible unless drastic changes are inputted.
This state is experiencing a higher-than-average number of people testing positive for COVID-19. Last month, the seven-day positivity rate average jumped from just over 3% to more than 7% and the goal is to keep this number at less 5%.
What it Looks Like on the Ground
Restaurants will be hit hard, with owners and workers being severely affected by closing all but takeout trade. Students are next in line, with all classes transitioning online, even for the youngest scholars. And families are looking at a Christmas where big gatherings are not just unsafe but actually illegal according to the orders being implemented in 15 Coloradan counties.
Luckily there’s still the prospect of touching base with one another via Skype and Zoom, staying in contact thanks to online messaging, and playing the most fun games via desktop, smartphone, and tablet when the solitude becomes overwhelming.
It is malfeasance in its purest form that our president and senators have not seen fit to pass another series of emergency aid as we head into winter. Shutting down right before the Christmas season will also have a ruinous effect on our city’s entrepreneurs. Some stand to lose their businesses entirely and there are many hard-working families who face the reality of unemployment.
What You Can Do
While many of us are unclear as to which Coloradan counties are included in the more drastic changes, restaurants and other smaller businesses are also wondering how they will be affected. Certain ski areas in Summit County are as yet unsure as to whether or not they’ll have to close, retail businesses are limited to 50% capacity, and restaurants have been reduced to 0.
Dr Lisa Miller, Professor of Epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health has said that there are a few basic concepts that explain why viruses come in waves, particularly COVID-19. The biggest one is susceptibility, Miller explains. As long as there are people that are vulnerable to the disease out there, it will continue to spread. The only way to dampen it is to decrease social interaction as far as possible, stay home and find other forms of entertainment, and wear a mask until we have a vaccine that works.
get headlines https://thecherrycreeknews.com
No comments:
Post a Comment