State must begin reopening by May 1

We offer sincere condolences to the victims of COVID-19 and express support to our health care workers, first responders and those keeping our supply lines open.

Now is time for Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot to reopen when the stay-at-home order expires on April 30. Barring a sharp rise in infections, we can, should and must reopen on May 1. The longer our economy is closed, the harder the recovery.

Throughout history, governments invoking emergency powers have been reluctant to relinquish them. Gov. Pritzker insinuated large gatherings would likely wait until a vaccine is developed 18 months from now. That is ludicrous, most epidemiologists would indeed lock down America for that long, but that is not who we are or what we want.

Previous models were just that, models, with hypotheses fed into them. As we obtain more "real" data, our mitigation efforts have worked phenomenally, we must reopen stores, restaurants and stadiums. We can start slowly, but by June, barring spikes, we should allow larger-scale gatherings.

The government can recommend the vulnerable should avoid places or to continue to stay-at-home, we can all still socially distance, but the federal, state and local "orders" need to end. The curve has flattened substantially; the "order" should now become a recommendation.

Finally, as we recover from this devastating virus, civil liberties must not be encroached upon. It's highly objectionable that Apple and Google are developing "contract-tracing" software. Forced tracing, required temperature-taking, testing and dictating what supplies and venues are essential is not who we are.

This is a catastrophic virus. The pain of its victims and their families is real and long-lasting. We pray for them. We have done and sacrificed much and saved an untold number of lives. Now we must begin to heal from the virus and its effects on our country.

John Jaszka

Carol Stream