Governor Gavin Newsom shared “six key indicators” he says will guide the state of California for when and how to modify the stay-at-home and other health orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his daily conference, Newsom said that while the state has made progress in flattening the curve and has seen positive health results, the actions have devastated the economy of California.
When it comes to re-opening, SCIENCE — not politics — must be California's guide.
CA has developed 6 indicators that will help guide how and when we decide to re-open our economy. This isn’t about an on/off switch. This will be a thoughtful process — led by public health…
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 14, 2020
“While Californians have stepped up in a big way to flatten the curve and buy us time to prepare to fight the virus, at some point in the future we will need to modify our stay-at-home order,” said Governor Newsom. “As we contemplate reopening parts of our state, we must be guided by science and data, and we must understand that things will look different than before.”
Going forward, the Governor says the state will look at the following when it comes to modifying orders:
- The ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed;
- The ability to prevent infection in people who are at risk for more severe COVID-19;
- The ability of the hospital and health systems to handle surges;
- The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand;
- The ability for businesses, schools, and child care facilities to support physical distancing; and
- The ability to determine when to reinstitute certain measures, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary.
#COVID19’s impact on the economy, on poverty & on healthcare is hard to sustain. In the future, we will need to modify our Stay-at-Home order.
Today, Governor @GavinNewsom lays out the road map to do that, including 6 key indicators that will be considered. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/LrshImUFUV
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) April 14, 2020
As far as a timeline, the Governor did not provide one, but said that these six indicators will serve as the framework for making that decision.
Don't expect anything immediately: @CAgovernor says lifting shutdown order will depend on hospitalization/ICU#s flattening "over the course of a few weeks,'' along with testing and tracing.
— Carla Marinucci (@cmarinucci) April 14, 2020
Newsom did note that Californians should prepare for a few modifications when we do go forward, citing examples like restaurants having fewer tables and classrooms being reconfigured.
