With Memorial Day right around the corner, a lot of people are ready to ease off the quarantine and get back to normal life. It’s understandable - this has been a difficult few months. And, we can’t hide under rocks forever.
The powers that be are largely supporting or even promoting this easing, suggesting that it’s time to open back up. Problem is, the trend for new infections isn’t exactly close to zero for some states:
California and Texas, the two largest states by population representing about 20% of all people in the US, have continued to trend in the wrong direction.
At first glance, one might think there is some kind of correlation between these two states - a similar strategy or approach to the virus. But, obviously, California and Texas are very different.
(This isn’t to make some kind of judgment on who is doing better or worse or is right or wrong. Everyone is new to this and figuring it out.)
Yet, when it comes to something totally new, I think caution is warranted. Maybe the chart above is showing the first sign of flattening and reduction. I really do hope so. Either way, let’s not mistake this pandemic to be over. The curve isn’t flattening everywhere just yet.