re: OT: Alabama Coronavirus Thread (see link in OP for case numbers and death totals in AL)

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These are schools opening campuses in the Fall and welcoming back students.

As someone else posted, Perdue announced they're opening their campus this Fall.

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Then it is not accurate because unless the UNC system does it as a whole NC State can not. Even NC State recently sent out info(last week) regarding housing selection is on hold for the fall until a decision is made by the system. And even if the UNC system does agree to open all their campuses they still may not be able to do to local orders. Wake County right now has the strictest orders in the state. No groups are allowed like in many other places no more then 10, but in Wake yo have to reside in the same house to be out together. NC State resides in Wake County and the county is say it may be September before all their orders are lifted.

From the link

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We fully expect to have our new and continuing students on campus for the fall semester. 

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NC State

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The sad part is if Kemp and others like him are wrong we may end up like this until January.

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The problem is most people are operating under an assumption that the virus is like a hurricane, and that if we just hunker down at home for a few more weeks/months we'll be all set. But of course viruses don't work like that.

We are unfortunately setting ourselves up for permanent lockdowns by constantly shifting the goalposts on the mitigation strategy. Early on, the goal was to institute sufficient restrictions to "flatten the curve". This, we were told, was not meant to reduce deaths from the virus in its normal course, but so hospitals weren't overwhelmed to the point where people who otherwise wouldn't have died were dying because of inadequate medical care/supplies. This strategy attempts a rough balance between economic calamity and viral calamity on the path to herd immunity or a vaccine, whichever comes first. Under this framework, lifting lockdowns and allowing businesses to re-open would be considered successful even if cases and deaths increased, as long as the caseload stayed at or below available healthcare capacity.

Unfortunately, the new standard for many is the avoidance of any and all deaths from the virus in the near term. This means that any increase in cases and related mortality is considered a failure of government (even tantamount to murder in some circles). There is no attempt to balance the negative consequences of the mitigation. Under this framework, ANY attempt to re-open businesses will be considered a strategic failure, because it will almost certainly entail an increase in cases and mortality. Thus, the only possibly successful path is to continue with virtual house arrest until the arrival of a vaccine (if and when it ever occurs).

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These are schools opening campuses in the Fall and welcoming back students.

As someone else posted, Purdue announced they're opening their campus this Fall.

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I did not realize my job gave me access to that site. I read it and it was the same letter I received last week. Yes NC State plans to open in the fall as normal but no decision has been made yet as they are waiting to here what the state and the UNC system has to decide for the fall. It also says they will adapt meaning online if needed in the fall or modify required courses for in person.

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We will also be fully prepared to adjust our fall plans as needed based on conditions at the time, as well as any restrictions or additional conditions that could be placed on us by the State of North Carolina and the UNC System.

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The link has a list of said colleges and not one on that list has actually confirmed or made a decision for the fall yet. Everyone on that list if you read the letter sent out for each school are hopeful at best. Even mentioned OU and Purdue are not definite yet.

If anything concerns me out of that article is I do not see fall sports happening. Even the OU letter talks about enforcing social distancing in the fall on campus as a requirement which can not be done in sports with practices and meetings. Even said having everyone wearing a mask.

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Thus, the only possibly successful path is to continue with virtual house arrest until the arrival of a vaccine (if and when it ever occurs).

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That won't happen in most places. In my county (around 80 cases confirmed, 1 reported death) every single local elected executive (mayors and county commission chair) just sent Ivey a resolution calling for a scaled reopening now.

If she doesn't do it at the end of her 4/30 timeline, there's a decent probability they will do it on their own. What's she going to do, send in the troopers and the guard? They could do that and charge the businesses, sure - but those cases would be tried in the same county. Good luck getting convictions there.

My takeaway is that list of schools have not decided that they are going to online instruction. They are planning on welcoming students back to campus in the Fall unless there is new information between now and then.

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The problem is most people are operating under an assumption that the virus is like a hurricane, and that if we just hunker down at home for a few more weeks/months we'll be all set. But of course viruses don't work like that.

We are unfortunately setting ourselves up for permanent lockdowns by constantly shifting the goalposts on the mitigation strategy. Early on, the goal was to institute sufficient restrictions to "flatten the curve". This, we were told, was not meant to reduce deaths from the virus in its normal course, but so hospitals weren't overwhelmed to the point where people who otherwise wouldn't have died were dying because of inadequate medical care/supplies. This strategy attempts a rough balance between economic calamity and viral calamity on the path to herd immunity or a vaccine, whichever comes first. Under this framework, lifting lockdowns and allowing businesses to re-open would be considered successful even if cases and deaths increased, as long as the caseload stayed at or below available healthcare capacity.

Unfortunately, the new standard for many is the avoidance of any and all deaths from the virus in the near term. This means that any increase in cases and related mortality is considered a failure of government (even tantamount to murder in some circles). There is no attempt to balance the negative consequences of the mitigation. Under this framework, ANY attempt to re-open businesses will be considered a strategic failure, because it will almost certainly entail an increase in cases and mortality. Thus, the only possibly successful path is to continue with virtual house arrest until the arrival of a vaccine (if and when it ever occurs).

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I tend to agree as we have created in my mind some unrealistic goals and it was such a cluster in the original response by all levels of the government. But history has proven government tends to be reactionary and this is where we are now.

The one quote I saw I agree with more then any other was more people will declare bankruptcy by the end of the year due to the coronavirus then die from it.

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That won't happen in most places. In my county (around 80 cases confirmed, 1 reported death) every single local elected executive (mayors and county commission chair) just sent Ivey a resolution calling for a scaled reopening now.

If she doesn't do it at the end of her 4/30 timeline, there's a decent probability they will do it on their own. What's she going to do, send in the troopers and the guard? They could do that and charge the businesses, sure - but those cases would be tried in the same county. Good luck getting convictions there.

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Oh, I completely agree that the newest sentiment of avoiding all possible near-term COVID deaths at any cost is completely untenable. But that's not going to stop people in media (news, social, or otherwise) from demonizing anyone who doesn't subscribe to it.

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Once that fear subsides, the 2am sore toe will go right back to calling 911.

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As long as this story is out there I think it will diminish some but you are so right

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I guess we're comprehending what they're saying differently. Which means so are other people.

To me it's clear, they are opening campuses in the Fall until otherwise indicated but are making contingencies to move to online just in case, which is the responsible thing to do.

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I am just reading everything on the site. No one has been giving permission and many have stated no decision has been made except they are preparing themselves to reopen if allowed to. Yes they all PLAN to return in the fall but that decision has not nor is it theirs to make.

I can say I am opening my business tomorrow but that does not mean I will be allowed to. There is a big difference in actually what is being planned and what happens. Contingencies are being made for both scenarios. I mean why would a college not prepare for campus back open to students and be hopeful. Every college right now is in the process of doing the same things. That is the problem with articles like that which report half truths to get people to read it. You can add every college in the country to that list but again being hopeful is not the same thing as what is actually going to happen.

In NC the UNC system is not making an official decision until May or maybe June. That is a fact and NC State is a part of that system and can not open without their permission to do so which they said on the site is required.