States across the United States have begun to issue and implement reopening plans as the coronavirus pandemic cuts deep into the world's largest economy. California, the first state to issue residential stay-at-home orders, has released its phased approach at restarting its domestic economy as many retailers prepare to open as soon as Friday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday the state's list of health guidelines that retailers, manufacturers and warehouses must adopt to be able to reopen. Beginning on Friday, the state will allow retailers to offer curbside pick-up to consumers and let manufacturers and warehouses that support retailers to operate with modifications. Newsom outlined that employees are required to wear both a mask and gloves when delivering items and have to implement contactless payments.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also announced reopening plans on Thursday, allowing for manufacturing plants to begin operations as soon as Monday. This would make it possible for automotive giants like General Motors
New York, on the other hand, is not bending under the pressure to reopen, with Governor Andrew Cuomo stating that the argument over how many deaths are worth reopening the state's economy is "absurd."
"This is not a situation where you can go to the America people and say, 'How many lives are you willing to lose to reopen the economy?' We don't want to lose any lives. You start to hear these, to me, what are absurd arguments," Cuomo stated during his Thursday coronavirus press briefing in Albany.
Yet, many other state governors are disregarding the White House's reopening guidelines for safely easing restrictions and letting businesses restart amid outbreaks, according to the Associated Press. The Press determined that 17 states did not meet a key benchmark set previously by the Trump administration: a 14 day downward trajectory in new cases. Many of the disqualified are moving forward anyway, those including Alabama, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah.
When asked on his reaction to states that are opening prematurely, President Donald Trump stated: "The governors have great power as to that, given by us. We want them to go that. We rely on them. We trust them. And hopefully they are making the right decision."
The Trump administration continues to move passed its health protocols, instead pushing hard on reopening the economy, no matter the cost. This new change in pace has led to a clash between the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the federal government canceling the release of a CDC document outlining advice on a safe reopening.
Titled "Guidance for Implement the Opening Up America Again Framework," the 17-page document offered step-by-step advice to help state and local governments restart. The document was written with the help of faith leaders, business owners, educators, and state and local officials and was meant to be published last Friday.
Total Global Cases: Over 3.8 Million
Total Deaths: Over 280,000
Total Recovered: Over 1.4 Million
Testing...1..2..3
The Food and Drug Administration announced the approval for Moderna Inc's
In the meantime, The National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins told a Senate committee hearing that Americans need a teat the could accurately provide results in hours and can be integrate with mobile devices to transmit data.
"Such tests sound like science fiction but are scientifically possible," Collins stated. The NIH announced that it has called on scientists to develop such a test and set a goal of making millions available by the end of summer.
