EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is the opinion of the writer. The Post Newspaper fully supports the First Amendment rights of our readers and guest opinion writers, but neither support nor condone their opinions.
Please excuse me for trying to be so smart but I have been around for about 80 years, went to school a lot and read a jillion books. Like the Farmers Insurance commercial, I’ve seen a lot, so I may know at least a little. You do not have to read this or agree with any of it.
First let’s put the Coronavirus in perspective.
- Deaths by all causes in the USA are about 7,500 per day.
- USA deaths just from smoking cigarettes are about 1,300 per day.
As of April 7, the American Coronavirus death rate just exceeded the death rate of Americans who smoke, and smoking cigarettes is not even contagious. Secondhand smoke is deadly though. We do recognize the danger of secondhand smoke; we have smoking sections in some areas of bars, restaurants etc.
Testing????
The popular idea of testing is that it can prove that you do or do not have the virus. Actually, it can prove that you do but since no one can prove a negative it cannot prove that you do not. Consider this: you take the test and at some time later (when you get the results report) it indicates you do not have the virus. Not so; what the test did was prove that you did not have the virus the moment you were tested, but who knows what your status is today? So what value is the test? It will be good as data for future scientific work on the Coronavirus. For you, it will not be worth the time you spend in line to take it. If you are sick get help. If not, don’t expose yourself to the virus by waiting in any line to take a useless test. Maybe I’m wrong about this but it works for me.
Getting back to work 101.
Here is how I see us getting back to work:
- Food services:
a) As soon as there is a test to show that a person has had the virus and recovered, have as many employees as possible take the test.
- Those employees that pass the test work in the kitchen and at the cash register.
- Set tables at about 6-foot chair-back to chair-back spacing.
- All employees wear appropriate masks and gloves.
- All employees get a temperature check at beginning of shift and once every four hours.
- Customers get temp check at door.
- Restrict lobby waiting to only those that can stay separated by about 6-feet, while others wait outside.
- Weather permitting, set up some tables outside.
- Provide hand sterilizers at every table.
- For other businesses, including taxi and delivery drivers:
- As soon as there is a test to show that a person has had the virus and recovered, have as many employees as possible take the test.
- Those employees that pass the test would work at the cash register and or front desks.
- All employees get temperature checks at beginning of shift.
- Customers get temperature checks at business door or car door.
- All employees wear appropriate masks and gloves when close contact is required with customers and other employees.
- Restrict total number of people in any confined areas (8-foot spacing) only one passenger per taxi.
- Provide hand sterilizers everywhere.
- Have as many employees as possible work at home.
- Stadiums and auditoriums including churches:
1) All even numbered rows vacant.
2) Odd numbered rows allow seating (individuals or couples) with 6-foot spacing.
3) Temperature check everyone at door.
4) Provide hand sanitizer in all restrooms
Generally:
- Avoid transportation systems if possible.
- Do not car pool.
And finally, just do the simplest thing. The virus needs live humans to live and survive. Deny that sucker a home in your human body.
Stay safe.
