Those at high risk should continue to practice social distancing. Or full on quarantine if they choose. And luckily, many who fall in that high risk category (my husband included) are able to stay home as they are retired, on a pension or SS, etc. If you need to work to get a paycheck you will be having a whole other experience. I hear from students daily who have families in crisis because parents are unable to work. In a family, EVERY worker is essential.
One of our co-workers shared a letter from a grandparent who is in an assisted living facility and unable to leave the room, can't play cards or socialize, no family visits - no contact with any other living souls, unless he has a medical crisis. It was heartbreaking. He concluded the letter with "there is more than one way to die".
They need to start allowing businesses to open and trust people to make good decisions. If people feel they should stay home, stay home. But we cannot force people to sit by and watch their lives go down the toilet. Otherwise we're going to have way bigger problems than a virus to deal with, in my opinion.
