We’ve tired of  the “Simon Says”  game I recalled a few weeks ago. Next up: Red Light Green Light: Go- don’t go. Stay- go with care. Go now because you may not go next fall or winter. Or ever. Our heads are spinning. Some scientists are holding onto the directives as if those alone will cure us. They resist giving us permission because they do not have all the data. The parochial nature of investigations has paralyzed us but they are unwilling to give into loosening or lose credibility. The scientists working on a cure, control, studying data, and researchers on every front are all feeding their families. They have the luxury of holding everyone hostage until their tracing, testing and insatiable need for data is satisfied.  Many news reporters “tut-tut-tut” about states opening (again they all are working).  We gave the scientists our devotion and attention.  They, not us were reckless. They were erroneously telling us in January “the US had nothing to be concerned about,” and they had to revise broken CDC tests, then these same scientists required a double check while the cases were exploding limiting contact tracing.

In the mean time, the world took control and managed the care needed by the thousands of critically ill. The virus will not change. The response is what changed – the armamentarium of management and care to the rescue. Working on therapy and vaccines is critical but as long as we can rescue or manage the majority (99.97%) we should be about living while they research.

Every doctor’s background is science. I cannot turn the radiation beam on without documented evidence of safety and efficacy for every type and stage of cancer. We do not put patients on the table and deliver light therapy. We respect that all science leads treatment. But we are seeing millions of people forced to give up livelihoods by the government until the scientists advise otherwise. Control of the masses. Some from  the ivory towers are now cautiously whispering that the testing and tracing won’t work and the vaccine may never be found. The deaths are tragic. Lives are changed forever, families broken, loved ones lost and as a world there is grieving. The inertia must however end.

I am already seeing the patients who bravely waited at home- tumor growing right in front of them and perhaps now not curable. Who is liable for this? The greater good is served by freedom and taking responsibility not by letting criminals go free and arresting mothers on the beach. Where is our common sense? We are not invincible, but we are smart and usually cautious. Covid is not the plague, cholera or Ebola. It is not wiping out everything in its path. Yes the toll is tragic as with other diseases and infections. Surely it will continue to infect millions. Cancer patients are at higher risk and must be guarded. The elderly and nursing homes must be protected. I am among many physicians saying that whatever path we are on now for children and the masses cannot be sustained- and even more so maybe it isn’t necessary.

I wrote weeks ago about opening the house to air. I am now saying open the doors and we will accept the outcome.

Addendum: Thank you Gov. DeSantis my patients can now have testing and procedures starting Monday. Remember, even when the stay at home expires, if you are at risk, use judgment and protect yourself. The government doesn’t need to do it for you.