Would you be willing to submit to a temperature check before being allowed into a restaurant or store? What if your temperature was only one degree too high? Would the temperature check be a reasonable health policy or a draconian measure? With everything health-related under a microscope these days, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the impetus for some uniquely interesting public orders, mandates, and corporate customer service changes. The pandemic statistics have been made increasingly available online.
According to the most recent reports, as of April 30, 2020, Texas had a total of 27,054 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 12,507 of those cases have officially recovered. 732 deaths have resulted from the pandemic in the Lone Star State. Throughout America, those numbers climb to 1.07 million, 127K, and 61,700, respectively. This infectious disease is caused by a coronavirus (hence the term) which was newly discovered. For the most part, those who fall sick with COVID-19 tend to experience symptoms which are mild-to-moderate in impact, and recover with no special treatment required. By county, the top three in Texas which have identified the most cases are Harris at 5,827, Dallas at 3,105, and Tarrant at 2,019.
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Amid the statistics, workers in all fields of health and safety are doing their utmost to keep up with diagnosis, care, and monitoring routines and protocols. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) stated it has been working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in this process. Official COVID-19 case counts and testing information from throughout the state can be found on the DSHS pandemic “dashboard” online, at the link available here. Among those who are considered high risk in this pandemic are the elderly, those with heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and those with weakened immune systems. Those who are 65 years of age and older are of considerable risk.
If you’re experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms and would like to be tested for COVID-19, there are self-assessments that can be done from home. The Austin Public Health unit has issued a link for area residents (provided here) in order to do so and register for free testing at one of their local drive-thru units. Cough, fatigue, fever, and shortness of breath appear to be among the most common symptoms of the virus.
Photo: envato elements
With the ongoing review of past practices in direct sales, the tourism and hospitality as well as general service industries are among the hardest hit in the economic wave that has struck the country during our efforts to social distance and “flatten the curve” for transmission. In light of that, the future of our purchase decisions and the processes through which we complete them could be completely transformed. COVID-19 has led a number of product and service entities to reevaluate their sales platforms and practices. Going forward, as consumers, we may be asked to submit to a number of measures under the guise of concern for health and safety. To what are you willing to acquiesce in order to make your future purchases?
