Where is the US in Terms of Reopening?

It was widely known that the United States of America had been impacted harshly by the pandemic. More than a year after it started and America’s handling of the pandemic has greatly differed. At the peak of America’s deadliest wave, there was a 7-day average of 259,617 COVID-19 cases that were being reported. As of June 19th, the 7-day average is 11,527 cases. This is the lowest average the country has seen since the end of March of 2020. The death toll has also been the lowest it's been since last March, with an average of 350 people losing their lives daily. The drop in cases and the death count can be owed to the fact that there had been mask mandates in place, as well as the high rate at which states were able to vaccinate their people. 45% of the entire US population that is eligible to receive a COVID vaccine has been fully vaccinated, with 53% of the eligible inhabitants having received one dose. With the low late of positivity - 3 per 100,000 - states around the company are moving forward by reopening. This means ending mask mandates and all of the rules that had been put in place to restrict indoor activities. Some states have been open for some time (like Texas and Arizona) while others have recently opened (like California and New York) and others are still planning on a date (like Hawaii and Oregon).

The governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, had taken down the mask mandate back on March 10th of 2021, meaning that masks are not required even if you aren’t vaccinated. He also let all businesses operate freely without the limitations of having a certain amount of people inside of their establishment. Even with the mask mandate not in place and life returning to normal in Texas, the positive case count has been able to stay low in that state, their 7-day average as of June 19th is 1,175 cases. The state of Arizona was able to put away its mask mandate on March 25th, as well as allowing businesses to function normally. They had put an end to the guidelines after Texas, which may be the reason why they have a lower 7-day moving average compared to Texas with 420 cases. It will be inevitable that the case count might increase in the coming months, but since there are more people that are vaccinated the hospitals might not be as overwhelmed as they were at the start of the pandemic.

California has just opened up on June 15th. This means that businesses are able to operate as they used to before the pandemic with no limitations. Unlike the previous two states that were mentioned, people who aren’t vaccinated will need to keep their masks on when they are inside. The previous two states’ governors didn’t allow establishments to ask for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from anyone, but California’s governor has said that there will be a need to show that you have been vaccinated or turn in a negative test if you wish to attend gatherings that are held indoors, an example being basketball games. It is too early to see how California’s reopening has affected their 7-day average, but as of June 19th, their average is 905 cases a week. The state of New York had been badly affected during the start of the pandemic, but they have been able to improve the handling of it which is reflected in the way they were able to open up fully on June 15th after having 70% of their adult population with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. There are no limitations for the businesses, but just like California, New Yorkers who have not been vaccinated need a mask when they are indoors. Since New York has been opened up recently, it is hard to see if their average case count of the week as of June 19th - 373 cases - will be affected since the restrictions have been lifted.

Hawaii has different restrictions and plans to reopen for each of its islands, but the governor of Hawaii has said that once 60% of the population has been vaccinated, then businesses can operate at a 75% capacity and more people can gather. When 70% of the population has been vaccinated all restrictions will be discarded. As of now, everyone must wear a mask. In Oregon, the same terms apply. Once 70% of all adults have gotten at least one dose, then restrictions will be lifted. As of June 19th, 68% of the 18-year-olds and above have been fully or partially vaccinated, meaning that their opening date is coming soon.

With states around the country in different places of reopening, it is important to not get ahead of ourselves. States are reopening and we are able to do activities that we had taken for granted before the pandemic - like eating inside a restaurant - but that doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. Since the United States has been able to get its hands on vaccine doses for its people, we are able to have this pandemic under control. The less fortunate countries are still struggling, and it is not until all countries have it under control that this pandemic will be over. Keep washing your hands and wear a mask if you would like to because we are near to the end of this pandemic.

Until next time, Keerthana

Sources:

1. Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count

2. See Reopening Plans and Mask Mandates for All 50 States

3. https://www.google.com/urlsa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cumanagement.com%2Farticles%2F2021%2F05%2Fcfo-focus-will-loan-growth-follow-economic-