Newsom Unveils Six Critical Indicators To Reopen California

Governor Gavin Newsom live address 4-1-2020

Sacramento, CA – On a day where there were a record number of 71 deaths in the state, Governor Gavin Newsom during his live address stated the key is not to “pull the plug too early.”

Outlining six critical indicators (see bottom of the page) that it will take to lift the coronavirus restrictions, Newsom signals that hospitalizations, particularly those in intensive care units, must “flatten and start to decline.” A fact he pointed to stating that on Monday ICU hospitalizations were mostly flat, declining 0.1%. Regarding reopening the state, Newsom shared, “There is no light switch here. I would argue it is more like a dimmer. Toggling back and forth between more restrictive and less restrictive measures. More individual responsibility as it relates to facial coverings and social distancing.”

The governor also maintains the state will need more testing, treatments and the ability for businesses, schools and childcare facilities to continue the physical distancing that has come to dominate public life.   Noting that it could have been worse, Newsom remarked, “Millions of you because you have practiced physical distancing, you have bent the curve in the state…The models have changed and that puts us in a position to be able to socialize again. To make public these private conversations we’ve [state officials] about this next phase.”

Cautioning that when things reopen, they won’t be the same. The governor relayed that restaurants will have fewer tables and waiters will wear gloves and masks. Thermometers will be common in public spaces, as will masks and other protective gear. Schools could stagger arrival times of students to enforce physical distancing. He added that large gatherings like sporting events, concerts and fairs are “not in the cards.”

Already more than 2 million Californians have filed for unemployment insurance. Meanwhile, state officials have delayed tax deadlines, mortgage payments and evictions as they try to slow the economic carnage. To which, Newsom vowed, “This can’t be a permanent state. It’s not it will not be a permanent state.”

The governor’s office provided this outline of the six indicators:

• 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 childcare facilities to support physical distancing; and
• The ability to determine when to reinstitute certain measures, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary.