5. Don’t try to go back to “normal”

Our goal isn’t to get back to a pre-pandemic way of life, but instead to employ whatever tools it takes to keep transmission as low as possible while restarting your economy.

This means:
-masks
-temperature checks
-6-foot distancing

Things that are relatively new concepts for the US, and are already proving unpopular.

Too bad, our experts said.

These measures save lives.
6. Watch out for the 2nd wave

The initial success stories in fighting COVID-19 — Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea — all saw a rise in cases in March. Even after getting new cases down, you have to maintain constant vigilance to keep the rate low.

What will this take?
For starters, a national system tracking flu-like symptoms. Epidemiologists call it “sentinel surveillance.”

It’s the kind of system we should have had in the first place…
And lastly…
7. Communicate. Clearly. Constantly.

***Governors and other state leaders:***
One thing that came through in many of our interviews around the world was the importance of communicating clearly and consistently about the actions you take.

You’re going to have to…
...persuade voters to do things they won’t like at a moment of unparalleled partisan rancor, record unemployment, disarray in your state’s traditional media outlets and divisions among eminent scientists.
After those interviews, we asked American experts If they thought we could do it.

Their answer?

None of you are close to being ready.

All of the above are things that America’s governors need to do and take seriously.

Feel free to @ yours.
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