Thoughts About Corona Virus: COVID 19 Part 2

We are now two and a half months into the “lockdown” due to the Covid 19 virus. The

national unemployment rate is pushing twenty per cent and nearly one hundred

thousand people have died in the United States due to this pandemic. The last time

unemployment statistics such as the current one had been seen was at the height of the

Great Depression.

As mentioned in an earlier essay on this site, I stated that you cannot put an entire

country into jail unless brutal methods foreign to our country are used. This is now

being amply demonstrated as a “revolt” of sorts has been taking place throughout the

country. Schools have been closed for roughly two month, millions of people, the lucky

ones, are able to work from home, but millions more are confined to their homes with no

work as they have been declared redundant or non essential. Government programs and

unemployment insurance have aided the unemployed, but work is always more desirable

to people who have always supported themselves and their families.

Not surprisingly, many people are going stir crazy. Prolonged confinement to their

homes, inability to participate in recreation or normal communal activities, dealing with

youngsters who may or may not understand what is happening and perceived unequal

treatment are factors leading to revolt. Why is a liquor store considered essential but a

shoe store isn’t? Why can big box retailers which sell food but also clothing and other

items be open but clothing stores, appliance stores and other vendors locked down? I am

neither praising nor condemning the lockdown but merely seeking to point out why

millions of people have had enough of home confinement. The question has arisen as to

whether state governors have the constitutional authority to order businesses to close

and to order people to practice social distancing and wear masks in public. I don’t know

the answers to these questions as I am not a constitutional lawyer. There is a very

serious public health crisis going on at this moment and all I can say is that it needs to be

handled with greater understanding and conviction so that average people can

understand what is going on and what the risks are.

Widespread discontent has now led to many states “re-opening” People flocked to

beachs, parks and other venues during the Memorial Day Weekend. Yet the threat from

the viral pandemic is not over. Pubic Health officials warn about a second wave of

infections. Whether there will be a second wave or an exacerbation of the first wave of

infections remains to be seen. What is being seen, however, is an increase in infections

and deaths in some states that opened up earlier. Whether this is a premonitory sign of

what will be coming is a dreadful question which cannot be answered at this time.

The public is thrilled that America is re-opening. We all are. But caution should not be

thrown to the wind. All would be advised to think of this re-opening as a test case. If

there is no increase in infections and deaths, great. Maybe we will have seen the worst.

However, if public health statistics record a worsening of the pandemic, people should be

prepared for another lockdown and all the discomfort and inconvenience associated

with it. Life is better than death and regardless of perceived inconvenience, vigilance

and safety are called for. Let us hope that the re-opening is not premature, but keep in

mind that tough measures may again be needed In the meantime, stay safe, continue to

wear masks and practice social distancing. And most of all, use common sense to protect

yourself and your family.

Garry S. Sklar, MD

Las Vegas, Nevada

May 26, 2020