A quick thread on COVID-19:

We’re aware of the new statewide data released tonight. We still don’t have full data for the OKC area, but we’ll analyze it deeply as soon as we receive it.

As I tweeted here Tuesday, the recent spike in cases has not been matched with a spike in hospitalizations & deaths because the new cases were disproportionately driven by people under the age of 35. That was and is a new twist in our city’s pandemic story.

We learn new things about this virus every day, and this June chapter has been quite different from earlier ones. Case numbers matter but it also matters who is accounting for those cases and how the virus is affecting them.

I will be in communication in the next few days with our local public health officials (as I always am) as to whether official action is necessary and appropriate, and we will look at all data points. We’re going to make decisions based on data and science.

In the meantime, you are not helpless. There are things you can do, and if we all did those things, those case numbers would fall across all age demographics. Wash your hands, keep your distance, and wear your mask in public situations where social distancing is difficult.

We’ll get back to you with more data and analysis as soon as we can (hopefully tomorrow). Be well, OKC.