Congratulations on surviving Shelter in Place and I hope you have remained well.
Many countries that adopted strict public health measures- social distancing, shelter in place, and home quarantine for all but essential workers and facilities like pharmacies and grocery stores are beginning a phased end to the strictest parts of the public health measures. They managed to “flatten the curve” of increasing infections and interrupt the rate of transmission of Covid-19 to allow for there to be enough hospital bed capacity to treat serious cases, and to allow public health measures for infection monitoring, contact tracing, and quarantine to control infection; hopefully for the next year or two until there are either therapeutics (drugs that kill the virus) or vaccines.
Other countries- or areas within countries- are just beginning to see their infection and mortality rates spike, and shelter-in-place continues. Some countries, however, are reopening without infection rates falling, and without infection controls in place, and experts warn these areas are likely to see spikes resume, or even worsen; WorldConsul advises you to continue to shelter in place, or even leave these areas if you can do so safely, as past experience shows that increased social instability is likely in those cases.
I was going to write a comprehensive report on resuming activity and the “New Normal”, but the Washington Post and New York Times have done a great job on activities likely in the first phase so I will reference the articles here instead on reopening, outside activity, and eating out:
Going outside https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/us/coronavirus-what-to-do-outside.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
Many Governments are using Phased “re-opening”: a slow, controlled process which can immediately be scaled back if infection rates rise:
Phase I: after several weeks of declining infection rates, preferably, some select shops open- low risk, where social distancing, infection control, and personal protective equipment (PPE) can be used to minimize risk of transmission. Outdoor activity is allowed without crowding. Public transport remains risky.
Phase II : more businesses open. Schools for younger children (who seem minimally effected by the virus) reopen
Phase III: most businesses reopened but at reduced capacity, social distancing
Phase IV: events with small crowds, most other activities permitted. Mass transit on off-hours may be safe by now, with PPE.
Many epidemiologists are worried about a re-emergence of infections in the Fall (northern hemisphere), when people head back indoors, which also coincides with the flu season. Start planning now for another shelter in place- and be happy if it isn’t necessary. Large crowds like sport events will not be safe until there is a vaccine.
The “New Normal”.
Reopening will require new thinking and new habits. You will have to develop the ability to assess risks of infection and make changes on the move. Likewise, you must assess your own vulnerability- if you have health problems or live with others you could infect- you must learn to lower your exposure accordingly. Also, you need to maintain awareness of the infection rate in your community and avoid areas with unnecessarily risky government or public behavior. At this time, WorldConsul must recommend you avoid the United States and Sweden due to their high-risk central government public health policies, or lack thereof. Government Whistleblower Rick Bright alleges that the United States lacks a central public health plan, top officials are trying to sabotage attempts at testing, and accurate reporting of infection rates. Many Sates are resuming public activity without public health measures in place, which is bound to result in uncontrolled infection, according to experts.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/14/politics/coronavirus-whistleblower-testimony/index.html
Sadly, it is likely to take years for the economic damage of the Covid-19 recession to recover. It will also be a year, and more likely several, until there is a treatment or vaccine, so social distancing will continue to be necessary. Finally, there will also be mental health consequences for many, if not a majority who survive the Pandemic and recession. See my report on treating Post-Pandemic PTSD.
WorldConsul 