Essential/Nonessential vs. Safe/Not safe

[jlwhitney]

The models also assumed people would pay attention to distancing and protective guidelines, and that didn't happen.

Actually the models were based on 50% and its been far higher then they expected for participation. Florida was expected to be a hot spot and that has never happen, most of our hospitals are now under capacity.

 

[sam_gordon]

The CDC? https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html

And this https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-six-feet-enough-social-distancing.html

This video also presented some interesting data on how far and how long microdroplets can hang in the air and travel (data was collected without mask wearing and with high velocity expelling via cough or sneeze, so it definitely warrants more investigation) https://petapixel.com/2020/04/03/sc...apture-microdroplets-that-may-transmit-virus/

Neither one of your links says anything about 6' isn't good for long periods of time. One person in one article says 6' isn't enough, and another said they would only stay at 6' for an extended period of time if they were outside, but admit that's just for their peace of mind.

Do some people (scientists included) think 6' isn't enough? I'm sure. But others are still advocating 6'. There's nothing definitive that says 6' isn't safe for hours.

 

[loves to dive]

According to our local radio station, who announces businesses that are open in our area, fine jewelry is essential because the local fine jewelry store is open. Not sure how that is happening since Georgia is under shelter in place order but I guess one does need one's pearls to clutch.

 

[EveDallas]

Of course I understand that.
But people will die if we just open up........
The country is a mess, but death is permanent!

I had a whole response typed out, but never mind. This virus has people laser focused on one thing and one thing only.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Honestly (and it's awful but very real), liquor stores remaining open keeps people with alcohol withdrawal out of the hospitals. ETOH protocol takes 2-4 days and they can't have beds tied up for that long when the positive cases are still surging. I'm sure a hefty portion of that decision was also motivated by tax money to the states, but at least for my friends, family and coworkers on the medical front lines, this decision did keep people temporarily out of the hospitals. Sadly they also acknowledge that this will create a surge of its own on the tail end of ETOH and alcohol dependency.

Maybe in some areas..but as it was already discussed early on in this whole thing a lot can really depend on the liquor laws of the state.

In my state stand alone liquor stores are king because they can actually sell hard liquor. Grocery stores can only sell beer up to 5.9% (up from 3.2%)..closure of the liquor stores would result in more job loss than needed really. I don't think for one minute my governor thought "hmmm well we don't want withdrawls clogging up the hospitals let's let the alcoholics have their booze"..least not in my area. The governor even adjusted temporarily the ability to sell liquor off premise (but within 50ft of the entrance).

 

[EveDallas]

The point of what we are doing is to spread out the infections so the hospitals can keep up...we have done that in the vast majority of the country, it was a known fact that the majority would still end up getting it but by spreading it out more people will live because hospitals can manage. We are nearing the stage were we need to open up and focus more on protecting the most vulnerable.

So many people have lost sight of this. And again, this virus doesn't equal automatic death but some people act like everyone who catches it will die.

 

[jlwhitney]

So many people have lost sight of this. And again, this virus doesn't equal automatic death but some people act like everyone who catches it will die.

I agree. They forget the 98% survival and even many with underlying conditions survive.

 

[Searc]

So many people have lost sight of this. And again, this virus doesn't equal automatic death but some people act like everyone who catches it will die.

30% of the confirmed cases in my state have been hospitalized (1,091 hospitalized during the course of their treatment), with 163 of those currently in ICU. If I can avoid that, I certainly will.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I had a whole response typed out, but never mind. This virus has people laser focused on one thing and one thing only.

Actually, I think that it has people focused on a number of things. Jobs/economy/personal financial situation/health (personal or otherwise)/deaths/recovery

Some people may be just focused on one, but most here seem to be discussing many of these things.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I know of no states that have banned emergency surgeries.

Although, it's hard for someone to understand why their heart cath and subsequent quadruple bypass are put off for weeks. It's quite difficult for a sick patient to understand that it's not an emergency. Well at least not yet...

 

[jlwhitney]

30% of the confirmed cases in my state have been hospitalized (1,091 hospitalized during the course of their treatment), with 163 of those currently in ICU. If I can avoid that, I certainly will.

But do you realize that is a teeny tiny percentage of your states population, and the fact that people are hospitalized every day for all kinds of illnesses,

 

[NYCgrrl]

I just want to point out that the one stop shopping business model that includes food shopping is fairly new. I can understand why a store can't sell a TV and food during these times if the overall goal is to keep people out of stores and offices. I go to local Targets focused: TP and cleaning supplies. They sell food but in general I've no interest purchasing it there as I've other options.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

30% of the confirmed cases in my state have been hospitalized (1,091 hospitalized during the course of their treatment), with 163 of those currently in ICU. If I can avoid that, I certainly will.

You won't be able to avoid that unfortunately. If you get the virus it's up to your body on how it reacts to it. However, what was the original goal was to not have a big spike all at one time but rather spread it out. What we really want is in the event they need hospitalization there is a bed available to them, should they need an ICU bed or a ventilator (or nowadays working on iron lungs since traditional ventilators are seeing higher death rates and hurting the body more in enough cases) that there will be one available.

 

[siren0119]

Maybe in some areas..but as it was already discussed early on in this whole thing a lot can really depend on the liquor laws of the state.

In my state stand alone liquor stores are king because they can actually sell hard liquor. Grocery stores can only sell beer up to 5.9% (up from 3.2%)..closure of the liquor stores would result in more job loss than needed really. I don't think for one minute my governor thought "hmmm well we don't want withdrawls clogging up the hospitals let's let the alcoholics have their booze"..least not in my area. The governor even adjusted temporarily the ability to sell liquor off premise (but within 50ft of the entrance).

Oh I don't think for a second that any governor made that connection on their own - but I don't know of many areas where medical administrators weren't in close contact with the state governments about hospital capacity and ways to avoid overwhelming the facilities in a given area. Hospitals were absolutely making decisions about what kinds of admissions could be reduced and communicating that to the state administrations.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

In my state beer and alcohol are only sold in liquor stores. Not in grocery stores or anywhere other than a liquor store. They are considered essential businesses. Thank god.

I work at a hospital. We get a lot of drug and alcohol abusers in the ER.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I think my point is that sometimes "essential" is less safe than "non-essential" and so may not be the best criteria to use. I also think some things that are considered essential are questionable, such as liquor stores. You are right in that people need groceries to survive, but if I'm going to Walmart how is buying non-essential food such as soda or chips any different than buying a new computer or a desk that might be needed for stay at home work or schooling? IMHO, the safety of the workers and the public should be the primary determining factor as to what businesses can be open. If non-essential businesses can safely operate, I think they should be allowed to do so.

Oh boy.

 

[NYCgrrl]

In my municipality beer and wine can be sold outside of liquor stores but the average person wouldn't want to drink most of the wines they sell at supermarkets and bodegas. Heck, I wouldn't even cook with it, LOL.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I work at a hospital. We get a lot of drug and alcohol abusers in the ER. Having the liquor stores open will cut down on a lot of withdraw admissions.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Of course I understand that.
But people will die if we just open up........
The country is a mess, but death is permanent!

Well it doesn't have to be black or white. Let those that are healthy return to work and allow them to frequent businesses sometime after June 1st. Those that need to can continue to shelter and socially isolate themselves.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Our local news had a segment of the LARGE furniture stores deemed as "non-essential" vs the liquor stores. I felt their pain. How busy (# of customers) does anyone think a furniture store is going to get? It would be so easy to stagger, just call ahead.