Things I would do if there were reliable, widespread serological testing; if I could feel reasonably secure that practices around “openings” are rooted in science + data; if fellow citizens were united in mitigation such as hygiene + masks; and if I knew I’d already had COVID:
Go to the zoo, go pick up food at a restaurant, maybe get a vacation rental somewhere, allow someone to babysit my kids so I can get some extra work done, hire people for various things that can only be done in person, not be afraid of getting too far from home...
(Clarification: if I knew the whole family had already had COVID and we aren’t contagious)...fill my car more than once every four months, go to a garden center, go get my kids some summer kickoff goodies, go get a treat from a favorite local place...
I would still happily wear a mask while doing all these things, even if I’d already had it and recovered because 1. you never know and 2. I’d want to make others comfortable and 3. I’d want to help normalize the mask wearing.
Anyway, hopefully this gives you an idea of the economic impact of policies based in science and putting people’s safety and lives first. But since 1. we’re not pulling together as a nation 2. neighboring states are not making decisions based on safety 3. There aren’t any tests
and 4. too many of us either can’t be bothered or are mass consuming disinformation (or both)...I am staying home. I am not driving. I am not going out and spending any money.
