Coronavirus Update: Surgeries Can Be Scheduled Again, But Still Too Soon For California Economy To Reopen
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Gov. Gavin Newsom took a measured tone as he warned residents that he still doesn't have any specific date of when California will get back to normal after the coronavirus pandemic.
At his daily press conference on Wednesday, Newsom announced one small part of the state's orders are being loosened: essential surgeries can be scheduled again.
Still, Newsom cautioned that he was not prepared to reopen large parts of California.
"There is no light switch, and there is no date," Newsom said."We are monitoring that and that's foundational in terms again of this dimmer, not a light switch, that we are advancing."
He says it's not a light switch but it is a sign that progress is being made but not enough to name a date on when the stay at home order will be lifted.
Surgeries for preventative medical care needs had been deferred to prepare for the expected surge in coronavirus patients.
Even with that part of the order being rolled back, Newsom cautioned that they may have to start reeling things back again.
Newsom highlighted the guidelines he wants California to meet before the state can start reopening. He even thanked President Donald Trump for helping the state secure hundreds of thousands of swabs for COVID-19 testing over the next few weeks.
The governor also announced that 86 new coronavirus testing sites will be opening across the state, focusing on minority and rural communities.
California's eventual goal is to get up to 60,000 tests per day.
Public health officials stress that being able to test and trace potential coronavirus patients is critical to preventing another spread of infections.
"It's getting to a point where, as an adult, I'm going to have to handle it," said mom Jessica Tavera.
Managing stress and anxiety is growing more difficult for Tavera who is also her son's teacher during distance learning.
"Anxiety is already through the roof if we have to stay in the house one more month what is that going to do," Tavera said.
Business owners worry about not having a time frame or knowing when the easing of restrictions will start benefiting businesses.
"Everything starts with that date right we need to understand how to start to dim our switch as well here at the business and the restaurant on whether it comes to staffing," said Ryan Rose, President of Zocalo.
