Arizona will continue to suffer if we don’t change our approach

I have to give credit to Robert Robb when it comes to managing COVID-19 for being willing to take a stand against the judgment of experts in epidemiology, infectious disease, public health and economics, not to mention, according to him, virtually all his media colleagues.

The consensus view of all these experts, and all the countries that have successfully suppressed the coronavirus pandemic, is that you need rigorous social distancing, especially indoors, use of masks, widely available testing with quick results, contact tracing and enforced isolation/quarantine until the number of new cases is far below the peak.

Variations of this approach have worked everywhere they have followed the experts’ recommendations.

Most economists also realize that success depends on putting much of the economy on hold to slow viral spread until they can reassure people that it is safe to come out and engage in normal activities.

Without the perception of safety, many and most will limit their engagement in the economy.

Safety first.

Economy second.

Like Mr. Robb, I am not an epidemiologist or an economist, but I’m not contradicting them by cherry-picking favorable statistics and downplaying the ominous ones.

Experts can be wrong, but not this time.

The countries and states that listened have done well from the beginning, or after a terrible spike.

Those that ignored the experts or cut corners are paying the price in terms of disease, death, their economies and schools.

Don’t listen to the Trump/Ducey happy talk. In Arizona we have not done nearly enough to control the virus.

The numbers make it clear that we have suffered and will continue to suffer if we don’t change our ways.

Andrew March M.D., Phoenix