MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There is now a full-blown debate happening over whether or not to lift stay at home orders and allow people and most businesses to return to some degree of normalcy. And just like all the other differences in our society in recent years, this one is dividing us by political persuasion, geography, and even to some degree race.
No doubt everyone would like to get back to where we were before the coronavirus stopped us in our tracks more than six weeks ago. We know businesses are hurting – and unpaid workers are suffering. But this mysterious pandemic has sickened some 800,000 people nationwide, and has killed more than 42,000. With no vaccine available, the only proven way to slow the virus is social distancing. And the best way to ensure social distancing is to stay home.
But now, some governors, particularly Republicans, are following the lead of the President and rushing to open the economy in the coming days – without knowing the full extent of the outbreak. That to me is irresponsible. Perhaps some rural counties could loosen restrictions. But the problem is, people travel across county lines. And if they unknowingly have the virus, it travels with them.
Yes, a deliberate plan to slowly get the economy restarted is in order. But science should drive the decision. Not politics or business interest. And certainly not groups of protesters – with their own agendas. And that’s my point of view.