As the holiday season continues, cities all across the United States are hitting their breaking point. In the past week, America has broken records previously thought not possible. For the last three days, America has seen over 2,500 COVID-19 deaths in a single day. Over 100,000 people are now hospitalized with COVID-19. With this in mind, many states and cities are starting to take action to reduce the current strain on our health care system and economy. This week California introduced the strictest stay-at-home order since the pandemic first began over six months ago. Texas, abiding by the scenarios laid out by Governor Gregg Abbots executive order, issued fresh restrictions in major cities. Are these stay-at-home orders anomalies, or are they just the beginning of what’s to come? This article will look into the current state of America and where we are headed.
The Current State of Covid-19 in America
While it is good news that America will be receiving a vaccine in the coming months, we are not out of the woods yet. Dr. Leana Wen, speaking with CNN, stated that America is heading towards the “worst-case scenario” when it comes to containing COVID-19. The CDC mirrored these comments with Dr. Robert Redfield saying that the next three months will be the worst three months in our healthcare system’s history.
These predictions are coming to life with the data we are currently receiving from The Atlantics COVID-19 Tracking Project. According to this project, America has been adding 1 million new cases every six days for the last three weeks. Also, the current death count stands at 277,000, with experts predicting the number going to 300,000 by the end of the year.
Hospitals are starting to become desperate as they struggle with rising cases and the lack of nurses and doctors. In places like South Dakota and Indiana, medical professionals are experiencing the very worst of the pandemic. Dr. Scott Samlan, an E.R. doctor in Indiana, told reporters, “This is the most scared I’ve ever been as an E.R. doctor. I’m emotionally and mentally fatigued.”
stories like Dr. Samlan are not unique, with doctors and nurses echoing his sentiments all over the country. Doctors and nurses have started to go on strike, demanding better protection from COVID-19 and better working conditions. Melissa Ricketts, a registered nurse, expresses her frustration on the lack of support and adequate working conditions. She said this to a local reporter, “We don’t have enough staffing, so we can’t take adequate care of the patients.”
The Response from Cities and States
This past week several states and cities took steps in trying to prevent a healthcare collapse. California took the first step on Thursday in issuing a far-reaching stay-at-home order. In a public statement, Governor Gavin Newson expressed the vital need for a new stay-at-home order. He stated, “If we don’t act now, our hospital system will be overwhelmed. If we don’t act now, we’ll continue to see our death rate climb.”
This latest stay-at-home order will last three weeks with the potential to be expanded another three weeks. The order will reduce the number of people allowed in stores to 50% of capacity. Also, restaurants will only be permitted to serve takeout or delivery. If the intensive care capacity in hospitals does not come down to below 15%, hair salons, parks, and playgrounds will also be required to shut down.
California was not alone in reinstating restrictions. According to the executive order issued by Texas Governor Gregg Abbot, if the number of patients in a hospital with COVID-19 top 15% for seven straight days, new restrictions will automatically be put in place. In cities like Dallas, this scenario has now become a reality. All non-essential businesses must now reduce their capacity by 50%. Bars in the affected region will need to be shut down as well.
With the rate at which COVID-19 is rising, we will most likely see restrictions like the ones in California and Texas spread throughout the country.
Bibliography
Begnaud, David. “Health Care Workers Overwhelmed amid Record Coronavirus Hospitalizations.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 2 Dec. 2020, www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-hospitalizations-health-care-workers-overwhelmed/.
The COVID Tracking Project, The Atlantic, covidtracking.com/.
Cowan, Jill, et al. “California Will Impose Its Strongest Virus Measures Since the Spring.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Dec. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/12/03/us/california-stay-at-home-order.html.
Heinz, Frank. “Roll Back: DFW Bars Close, Businesses Reduce Capacity as COVID-19 Hospitalizations Hit 7-Day Mark.” NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, 3 Dec. 2020, www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/roll-back-bars-close-businesses-reduce-capacity-as-covid-19-hospitalizations-hit-7-day-mark/2496073/.
Holcombe, Madeline. “The US Reports 3,100 Coronavirus Deaths in One Day -- 20% More than Previous Record.” CNN, Cable News Network, 3 Dec. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/12/03/health/us-coronavirus-thursday/index.html.
Maxouris, Christina. “There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel, but Coming Months Will Be Covid-19 'Worst-Case Scenario,' Expert Says.” CNN, Cable News Network, 4 Dec. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/12/04/health/us-coronavirus-friday/index.html.
Sentendrey, David. “Reopening Rollbacks Start in North Texas after COVID-19 Hospitalizations Stay above 15% for 7th Straight Day.” FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth, FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth, 4 Dec. 2020, www.fox4news.com/news/reopening-rollbacks-start-in-north-texas-after-covid-19-hospitalizations-are-above-15-for-7th-straight-day.
