The State Of Texas Reopens, The State Of Melz Remains Closed

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Depending on who you ask and your viewpoint, folks are either really optimistic or still really nervous about things reopening here in Texas. I honestly don't know what to feel but I'm going to continue to take the approach that has worked for me and my family: We're still closed.

There's a faction of our fellow Americans who are out in the streets demanding that states reopen so that they can get back to business and some of those viewpoints are understandable but with daily reports of steady increases in the number of COVID-19 infections here in Texas, it makes this observer reconsider those viewpoints.

The CDC and White House published guidelines that states must satisfy before proceeding to a "phased comeback". Here's one of them:

Downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period OR Downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period (flat or increasing volume of tests) - White House & CDC

Question: Have we seen this in Texas or elsewhere? Just this past weekend, Texas reported its 4th consecutive day with 1,000 new infections. And before you say "since when do you trust anything from the government" let me remind you that this is the protocol in countries AROUND THE WORLD.

But let me be clear, by no means am I saying we shouldn't open back up, in my OPINION, we never really CLOSED anything. Stores were still packed daily, folks were still having parties and get togethers in public spaces and in private homes, so to me, all that complaining about "your rights getting trampled on" was moot. Did social distancing and stay at home orders help? We really don't know due to limited testing early on but over the last week, data suggests folks are getting back to normal and going back out again according to NPR.

By all means, if you feel like you can provide a sanitary environment in which to do business for yourselves, your employees and your customers, go for it and open up!

As for my family and I, we will continue to play it safe until the DATA shows me otherwise. Exercise common sense folks because despite the "rhetoric" you see and hear, this is NOT A HOAX and this is NOT A SCAM. I get it, you're tired of all the news, being around the same people everyday and you're starting to get stir crazy. All the more reason to find other means of "protecting" yourself and your mental health.

Millions have been infected and we are all reaching a point where we know someone who has been affected by this and while we maybe focused on "recovery", its still best practice to do what you need to for yourself and your family.

What's really sad to me about this whole thing, is that we have to choose between our HEALTH or ECONOMY. Sadly, there is no "middle ground" on this, at least in America.

The State of Melz remains closed.