The White House has released the “Opening Up America Again” guidelines on reopening the economy and our way of life.
Brief summary:
Organized into four phases, the plan begins with our starting point: recommending continued social distancing with school closures and discouraging non-essential travel while putting into place. Depending on the consistent decreased number of Wuhan coronavirus cases governors will then shift into Phase One: Vulnerable individuals continue to shelter in place while others begin returning to work in phases; social settings of 10 or fewer people should be avoided when social distancing is not possible; non-essential travel should be minimized; telework when possible. Bars and larger venues remained closed. Elective surgeries can resume. Gyms can open under strict social distancing and sanitation protocols.
Phase Two, for states who with no rebounds or increases: Non-essential travel can resume; telework encouraged; schools can reopen; large venues can reopen under moderate physical distancing protocols; gyms can open or remain open with above-mentioned protocols; bars can reopen with diminished capacity.
Phase Three: Vulnerable individuals can resume public interactions but should practice social distancing. Worksites can resume. Visitors to senior facilities, hospitals can resume. Large venues may open under standard sanitation protocols. Bars may increase standing capacity.
UPDATE: During presser Trump notes that these guidelines are to be customized by governors to best fit their state’s needs. Emphasized ability to handle any resurgence must first be in place. He announced that 3.5 million tests have thus far been completed. Trump also noted that private labs have seen drop in test processing — which was inaccurately reported by some outlets as a neglect of testing the populace when in reality, the various types of tests now available cut out the lab processing, making it easier and faster for states to monitor and potential outbreaks.
Dr. Birx explains that the “sentinel surveillance” (page three of the PDF) will be monitoring at nursing homes and federal clinics. She emphasizes that all states must go through the gating criteria as explained in the beginning of the PDF despite widespread testing. Birx says they are not putting a timeline on the phases, this is up to each governor of each state. Birx notes that in Phase Two limitations on gatherings of 10 people will increase to groups of 50 people. Phase three is a return to normality.
Dr. Fauci echoes Dr. Birx in emphasizing the establishment of the grating criteria. “This is the first hurdle,” he says, noting that some states are already well into this already. Fauci notes that there may be some setbacks and that as we go forward we may have to step back now and again.
Questions I have that I hope are answered in this presser:
How will governors handle interconnectedness and difference in phases?
As per the “go forward step back” possibility, does that mean if a resurgence takes place states can go from a Phase Two to a Phase One again?
Trump says “29 states are in that ballgame” of being through the gating criteria and are able to open soon, though the word “tomorrow” was used as a possibility for some.
