Early this afternoon, California governor Gavin Newsom announced six indicators that must be met in order for California to begin relaxing its “Stay at Home” order, which has been in effect since March 19.
Newsom did not give a precise timeline to when the order could be modified or slowly lifted.
“In two weeks, if we see a continuing decline not just in hospitalizations but ICU’s, and PPE needs … ask me then,” Newsom said. “We’ll be in a very different place. I know you want a timeline. But we can’t get ahead of ourselves. Let’s not make the mistake of pulling the plug too early. We don’t want to make political decisions that put our lives at risk.”
California’s six indicators that need to be met are:
- The ability to monitor and protect communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating and supporting those who test positive or are exposed.
- The ability to prevent infection in people who are at a higher risk for COVID-19.
- The ability of hospitals and health systems to handle multiple surges.
- The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand.
- The ability for businesses, schools and child care facilities to support physical distancing.
- The ability to determine the reinstitution of certain measures, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary.
Additionally, Newsom shed light on how the summer could look in California, stating that the state will not be seeing large public gatherings such as parades for Memorial Day and Independence day. Sporting events will also likely be forbidden throughout the summer.
Newsom also recognized Californians for following the stay at home order and helping to flatten the curve.
“Because you have practiced physical distance and the stay at home orders you have bent the curve in the state of California,” Newsom said. “The models have changed because of your behavior and that puts us in a position to be able to socialize, again, to make public these private conversations we have been having about this next phase.”
Newsom then went on to address the number of deaths seen in California.
“Today we had a record number of deaths that we are reporting. 758 individual stories, families and lives torn apart. 71 individuals that lost their lives just since the last reporting that I gave you yesterday,” Newsom said.
According to the L.A. Times, California has just over 25,145 COVID-19 cases and over 767 deaths as of Tuesday afternoon. In comparison, New York, one of the hardest hit in the United States, has 202,208 cases with 10,834 deaths according to the New York Times.
Newsom then mentioned that lifting the lock down will not mean a return to normal living until there is either a vaccine or herd immunity. To stay up to date on COVID-19 in California visit the California Coronavirus Response website.