As an ER doc in Michigan seeing @realdonaldtrump encourage protestors in our capital, I'm deeply concerned about the impact it will have on my patients. With hundreds gathering in close quarters, the potential spread of #coronavirus puts my community at risk. Here’s how: (1/14)
Over 300 people were there & it's estimated that 5-10% of the population are infected. If just 30 were infected (with an R0 of 2.5 and a 5 day incubation), those 30 people could result in nearly 11,000 newly infected Michiganders in 1 month - all thanks to these protests. (2/14)
The protesters donning TRUMP signs & MAGA hats say they were there to fight @GovWhitmer’s #StayHomeStaySafe order & extension of emergency powers. Well, gathering in the way they did is exactly how to ensure we'll be living under *stricter* #shelterinplace in coming weeks. (3/14)
.@GovWhitmer has clearly stated that she'll follow the path laid out in the WH #coronavirus taskforce plan for re-opening. While we begin the 4th month without a #nationaltestingplan, as tests hopefully ramp up we must see a 14-day decline in cases before entering phase 1. (4/14)
By tweeting "LIBERATE MICHIGAN" after protests, @realDonaldTrump is backing those trying to stop governors from following guidelines set forth by his own White House. Meanwhile, he's still woefully shy of the daily tests needed for most states to consider safely opening. (5/14)
As protesters threaten our governor, their ire should be aimed at the president's failure to coordinate a national response. *That's* what's keeping states locked down. Michigan understands who to blame: 63% approve of Whitmer’s handling of the crisis versus 36% for Trump. (6/14)
According to the daily tracking poll from the folks at @NavigateCorona, just yesterday 83% of people felt either that social distancing guidelines were "right" or "not aggressive enough." The public, economists, and health professionals are all on the same page. (7/14)
The protesters represent a tiny fraction of Michigan. Yet despite significant approval for her response, @GovWhitmer was denied a 28-day extension of emergency powers by the GOP-led state legislature, who'll apparently fight in court against the wishes of most Michiganders. 8/14
As a rural ER doc, I’m particularly supportive of her actions as my hospital has not had a massive influx of #COVID19 patients. The fact that most of the state has been spared points to the *effectiveness* of #StayHomeStaySafe, not the opposite. This isn't complicated. (9/14)
Prematurely relaxing the lockdown without adequate testing & evidence of declining cases for 2 weeks, would start us back up the curve we've worked so hard to flatten. And it would put my hospital & many others in jeopardy of being unable to properly care for our patients. 10/14
The loss of life associated with a spike in cases & overwhelming hospitals is exactly why we have set a year-long goal to #flattenthecurve. We must remember that this is a long-term goal, and will not go away until we have a vaccine or significantly effective treatment. (11/14)
For now, those concerned with public health must support the order by @GovWhitmer. I understand the sacrifices being made & implore the federal government to make people whole with direct payments/payroll replacement to support their needs during this unprecedented time. (12/14)
As unemployment rises and people lose their insurance, the federal government should act with urgency to expand #Medicaid to attend to the healthcare needs of the uninsured. The more support we can offer now, the easier the necessary prolonged lock-down will be to take. (13/14)
But the most urgent call is to @realDonaldTrump to finally understand that utilizing the #DPA for the production & distribution of swabs, reagent & tests is the only path to a successful & sustained re-opening of America.
*This* is who the protestors should be targeting. /END
*This* is who the protestors should be targeting. /END
