As North Carolina moves into Phase 2 of reopening the economy, Gov. Cooper should ask for a do-over. He should meet with advisors and take another shot. His list of what can open and what cannot is too ambiguous, lacks reason and ignores more recent information about the virus. It also seems to ignores the only way we return to a level normalcy — protect the vulnerable by tracking and tracing the virus and isolating infected people, not healthy ones. 

The necessary social distancing and “stay at home” precautions has “flattened the curve” and saved countless lives. The unfortunate side effect; however, has also been a massive slowdown in the economy.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports an estimated 12.4% drop in GDP for second quarter. That could work out to well over a two and a half trillion dollar national loss.  

On May 15, city officials declared Atwater, California, a "sanctuary city." Not for undocumented immigrants, but for businesses and churches who choose to ignore Gov. Gavin Newsom's COVID-19-related shutdown orders. The city won't be enforcing the governor's edicts. Those edicts, Mayor Paul Creighton told local businesses, are "between you and the state of California."

The front lines of the war on COVID-19 have expanded and are now reaching into rural America. As infection rates begin to plateau nationally, and states begin to reopen, we, too, must expand our focus and our action to rural communities—areas with limited healthcare infrastructure and populations most at risk for contracting the virus.