Governor's Moves Toward "Reopening S.C." Unsafe

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Here's the latest date on COVID-19 Testing in South Carolina:

Negative tests from DHEC Public Health Laboratory 10,591
Negative tests from private laboratories 25,512
Total negative tests 36,103
Total positive tests 4,377
Total number of tests performed in South Carolina 40,480

That is a positive rate of 10.9 percent. The death rate is 2.8 percent.

Do these numbers suggest opening the beaches and other retail stores is a good idea?

I understand people are already ignoring caution, packing into Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot, as if it's a holiday.

But does this mean we give in to those with no impulse control who are acting like toddlers wanting to be put down in heavy traffic?

Save your conspiracies, quotes from anyone who says the virus is not really so dangerous, because they don't hold water. Stop posting it's less dangerous than the flu, it's not. It's more than 10x as deadly, it's compressed into a short period of time and we don't fully understand it or have a vaccine.

It's also not a civil rights issue, at least not in the sense we've seen in the past. The civil rights marches seeking equality for all Americans, regardless of race, had an end game that aimed at extinguishing lynchings, racial discrimination in employment, housing and voting.

I was there for the later years in those marches, and they were focused and somber and for a greater good breaking a history of violence and discrimination.

They were not about short-term inconveniences. It's easy to see these current and mostly voluntary restrictions (which is what they are) are temporary. I can't help but wonder how the protests in some states would be received if it were heavily armed young African-American men standing not the courthouse making veiled threats.

That's not to say many local businesses have not been wounded, some deeply, mine included. I'm not making light of that, I promise. It hurts. Our restaurants, beauty salons, some small manufacturers, hotels, photographers, realtors, insurance providers, and others have been hit hard by the shutdowns. It's serious.

If we'd only taken action in early March, we'd likely be on the other side of it now. But we are not. Less than 10 percent of the state's population has been tested, and it's an established fact that many are virus carriers with no symptoms. Look at the recent funeral in Sumter where so far six elderly people have died after contracting the virus at a loved one's service.

But since South Carolina's governor is rushing to spread the virus now (keep in mind his permission is not a medical "get out of jail free card," based on any scientific decisions, or a medical evaluation), at least wear a mask when you go out and wash your hands often. Can you do that for the vulnerable populations in your community (or wherever you are vacationing)?

We've moved from a confusing definition of "essential" businesses (you already know which ones on the list make no sense other than politically), to a "don't go out unless you want to," to "the hell with it, go ahead a go on vacation, get back out and shop and put retail workers at risk, and do whatever you want." For some reason, the only rented mules in these decisions are restaurants, many of whom which are struggling to survive at this point. It's bizarre that the governor sees shoulder-to-shoulder crowds in hardware stores as essential (there is no way these places are limiting the number of shoppers), but seems to believe restaurants, which could very easily limit customers at the door, dangerous.

We're all tired of quarantines, and many of us are burning through savings and cash reserves, and no one has the answer.

And that's where the fear and frustration are fueled. We want answers and quick solutions and there are not any. Which is why moving cautiously is the current path to wisdom and safety.

Current projections show a continued steady climb in cases in South Carolina, which ranks eighth nationally in cases per 100,000 citizens. (DHEC April 11 stats). They are projecting 8,677 by the week ending May 2, which is double the number of current cases today.

A more coherent and prudent approach is needed for South Carolina to return to pre-virus "business as usual." A strategic plan based on public safety and the best medical/scientific information is crucial.

Until then, those who take this virus seriously will be held hostage by those who are more eager to "get back to normal" than to keep our friends, neighbors and family safe.