One of the more difficult things about the stay-at home mandate is that it runs counter-intuitive to everything we’ve ever learned about civic responsibility.
Get out the vote. Build community. Volunteer. Take the lead. Serve others.
But stay home to save lives?
According to Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas’s secretary of the Department of Health and Environment, the more we stay apart now, the faster we’ll be able to return to normal.
On Tuesday, Kansas had a reported 900 cases.
If everyone — remember, it has to be a group effort to work — reduced their interaction by 35% to 40%, the rate of infections would be halved. Instead of doubling over the course of three days — that same number would be accrued over six to seven days. Reduce interaction by 55%, and the number would accrue over 10 days.
The difference is that hospitals would be less overwhelmed and fewer deaths would occur.
The virus is now the third leading cause of death in the United States, following heart disease and cancer. During its peak — still two weeks out — it’s expected to be the No. 1 cause of death.
AS WE’VE been learning from experts, it’s important to keep a healthy perspective on all this.
To that end, we appreciate the levity and compassion of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern when she said, “You’ll be pleased to know that we do consider both the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny to be essential workers.”
In today’s anxious times, Ardern is aware of the effect on children, and the necessity of assuring them that life will keep on being special. You’ll be pleased to know that we do consider both the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny to be essential workers.
Ardern has been widely commended for her leadership in battling COVID-19, including closing New Zealand’s borders on March 19 and ordering a four-week national shutdown on March 25, limiting “essential work” to health care or buying food and medicine.
That is, except for the immensely important imaginary figures.
With a population of 4 million, the country has had only one death due to COVID-19.
SO BACK to the bubble.
See you on the other side.
— Susan Lynn
