Friday and with every passing day we get closer to the reopening of society. Yesterday, guidelines were released by the Federal Government setting forth a general path for States, County and Local governments to follow. NC has set forth factors it will consider for reopening and here in Buncombe County we are ready. So, look at the guidelines and determine how you will adapt your business so you may open as soon as possible.
Buncombe Medical Data – Interim Buncombe Health Director Dr. Judith Mullendore stated yesterday that as of 1pm April 16, there have been a total of 43 lab confirmed cases of COVID-19, and a total of 3 deaths. Unlike previous press conferences however, Dr. Mullendore provided no information about the number of people that have recovered. But rather, after stating the number of positive tests, she provided the statistic that 44% of those testing positive are between the ages of 25 and 49. Why the change? Is it more important to know the number of people who have recovered or the characteristics of those that have tested positive? While demographics is important, my opinion is that knowing the number of people that have recovered allows you to determine the number of cases remaining in the County, and that information is extremely relevant to any decision to reopen Buncombe County.
Medical Math Data – A prominent Israeli mathematician, analyst and former general claims simple statistical analysis demonstrates that the spread of COVID-19 peaks after about 40 days and declines to almost zero after 70 days — no matter where it strikes, and no matter what measures governments impose to try to thwart it. Interesting, but useful to remember he is a mathematician not a medical doctor.
PPP Additional Funding – Two Democrat Senators (MN Sen. Tina Smith and AZ Sen. Kyrsten Sinema) broke with Democrat leaders to demand immediate additional funding to the PPP.
Let’s Go Surfing – NC coastal towns are beginning to open their beaches today. Now, lets begin opening parks, trails and forests.
ReOpen WNC – Buncombe County officials and other WNC counties are considering how to reopen their respective communities. Buncombe County passed a Resolution expanding testing and tracing in anticipation of opening the County. First step, but at least the County admitted that “current documented cases of COVID-19 are lower in Buncombe County than most other metropolitan regions of North Carolina and the country.”