Alabama is a mere three days away from the expiration of Governor Kay Ivey’s stay-at-home order.
In the weeks and months to come, there will undoubtedly be a study of how effective the state’s measures have been using data such as confirmed cases, reported deaths, unemployment, hospitalizations, bankruptcies, business closings and tax receipts.
On the national level, the conversation has already started.
“Public policy calamity.” Longtime newsman Brit Hume rendered his decision on the effectiveness of lockdowns earlier this week. He outlined damage to the economy and enormous unemployment numbers as being too much compared to the lack of evidence that lockdowns made a difference. He said on Fox News at Night, “I think it’s time to consider the possibility … that this lockdown – as opposed to the more moderate mitigation efforts – is a colossal public policy calamity.”
In yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, T.J. Rodgers published a piece titled, “Do Lockdowns Save Many Lives? In Most Places, the Data Say No.” Rodgers looks at the death rates across states in the U.S. and other countries exercising lockdown measures. He explained that Sweden, which had among the least restrictive measures, has landed in the middle of European countries for COVID-19 deaths. Sweden’s death rate is lower than Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey and New York, which have been the most affected U.S. states.
In a state like Alabama, with its friendly people and beautiful weather, it may be that the effectiveness of economic lockdowns is limited by social behavior. Those dutifully sitting at home may be surprised to learn that cookouts, block parties, kids playing and neighbors simply visiting continues across the state even though many small businesses are shuttered. Or, it could possibly signal that reopening commerce will not leave us that much more vulnerable than we already are.
Busy week. The map of states opening across the country fills out even more this week. The Yellowhammer State’s stay-at-home order expires on Thursday.
Tim Howe is an owner of Yellowhammer Multimedia
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