Our New Reality

With the number of U.S. deaths relating to novel coronavirus reaching over 5,000, the likelihood of the economy returning to normalcy on April 30 is slim to none.

Emma Hutchin, Photo Editor|Apr 2, 2020

PHOTO | TNS

President Donald Trump speaking during a press briefing on March 30 relating to the extended stay-home order.

Four more weeks. Four weeks of continued uncertainty, physical isolation, phone calls to stay in touch, over-buying, and even that may not be the end. After receiving backlash from countless medical experts and political affiliates about his desire to reopen the economy by Easter, President Donald Trump retracted the statement and extended guidelines through the end of April. 

Advice from medical experts suggested that restarting the American economy by Easter could lead to nearly 2.2 million Americans dying from coronavirus, according to the New York Times. However, the likelihood of the virus dying down by the end of the month is slim. Unpredictable and easily contractable, there is no evidence to suggest Americans will be out and about again by May. 

After the first cases were recorded in early December, China remained in lockdown throughout January and February, finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel with the start of March, according to the New York Times. A slow in the number of cases contracted, the fight still continues to slow the deadly coronavirus. Experts are now reviewing China’s timeline and using it to estimate when the American economy will return to normalcy.

At best, the peak of the virus will occur by April 30. The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was supposedly discovered on February 26, making the April 30 deadline a mear two months later, half the duration of China’s fight with the virus. Only on March 13, did President Trump declare a national emergency, making the possibility of returning to work and school by May even slimmer, according to the American Broadcasting Company. 

The problem with this virus and trying to predict the outcome of it is that there is little research available to base circumstances off of considering it is such a new illness. Researchers have been comparing the COVID-19 timeline to the Spanish flu of 1918 and the severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS outbreak of 2003, according to Health. The virus will get worse before any relief is seen and at this moment, the peak is projected to occur in mid-April, according to Health. 

Depending on how long the economy continues to suffer, experts are warning of another ‘Great Depression,’ according to the Cable News Network Business. At this time, 6.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment while the economy tanks under the weight of isolation and self-quarantine, according to the Cable News Network. It’s going to take many weeks to fish out the American economy, so the projected, April 30 deadline is unrealistic. In order for there to be any real progress made, American citizens actually have to abide by CDC recommendations and state orders to stay inside.

It’s a scary, unpredictable time for everyone, and until scientists and health professionals can control the spread of COVID-19, there’s no way to tell when people can get back on the streets. Until then, cities across the country are turning into ghost towns, and the importance of social and physical distancing is getting ever more crucial.