Oklahoma 2.0 on the way

As Oklahomans prepare to get “back to work” safely and smartly, it's important to note that more than 70% of the workforce has been reporting to work or working from home the entire time. The essential business list is vast.

Public officials have made well-intended decisions with insufficient data and still managed to do a fantastic job. There is no history to fall back on. We all know that we cannot shut the economy down completely or forever, and none of us wants COVID-19 to return after all the sacrifices that have been made. Balancing the two has been tricky.

Here in Oklahoma, when the tornado warnings sound, we know to find shelter, and when the storms pass, we know how to deal with the aftermath. We use good judgment, good old-fashioned common sense and we help each other selflessly.

I have faith we will use the same standards in our current situation, and the evidence is all around us. Oklahomans are taking COVID-19 seriously. We wear masks, maintain social distancing and carry extra hand sanitizer. We have witnessed that companies are figuring out how to balance workforce safety with economic activity. While all this was happening, the curve flattened. This didn't happen by keeping everyone locked up completely, and although every measure contributed to the success, what really flattened the curve was acting responsibly while in public.

I am confident this trend will continue, and the benefits of the lessons we learned can be passed down to those now reopening their businesses. They don't have to reopen from a place of fear — they can do so with confidence. Consumers don't have to be afraid, as we have been consuming this whole time and learned to do so in a way that safeguards our health and safety. We must work together to get this engine running at full speed again.

With more testing, better data, therapeutics and ultimately a cure, we will be able to return to normal. In the meantime, we will embrace this new normal — we will wear masks, practice social distancing and be vigilant.

At the same time, we should take stock of what has happened, how quickly it took hold and ready ourselves for the lasting change that will result. We will be smarter. We will build a more self-sufficient and safer economy. We will protect those who are at risk. We will demand innovations in public health, safety and rapid response. Most importantly we will emerge ready to reshape Oklahoma to be more efficient, more capable and ready to embrace an even brighter future — Oklahoma 2.0, here we come!