The past few weeks will go down in history as some of the most disastrous in California history.
After an unwise and unscientific rush to reopen the state, COVID-19 infections are spiking in California, including here in Sacramento. The California miracle has become the California nightmare. We bent the curve and avoided the worst-case scenario in March, April and May with an unprecedented statewide stay-at-home order.
Then, our leaders surrendered. Bowing either to political pressure or to scientifically dubious optimism, they initially refused to impose a mask requirement to help prevent the spread of the virus. Then, with no mask rule in place, they rushed to reopen bars, restaurants and churches before it was safe. They also refused to enforce the rules or crack down on flagrant violations.
The result of this failure of leadership was entirely predictable. Crowds packed the bars and restaurants. Families gathered for barbeques and parties. Martial arts gyms reopened without physical distancing or masks.
To be clear, most Californians did their part to protect public health by wearing masks, avoiding crowds and following public health rules. Unfortunately, some people dropped their guard, disregarded warnings and, for a brief moment, seemed to be enjoying a summer without consequences.
Until now. Infections are now surging in Sacramento County, where officials reported 1,000 new cases last week and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds have become scarce. Nearly 6,000 Californians have died of the virus, and the number will continue to rise.
None of this is surprising. Anyone who had paid close attention to what had happened in other places that reopened too quickly saw this coming. Other countries and states that prematurely reopened also saw infections spike.
On May 29 this Editorial Board warned Sacramento residents against risking their lives by venturing out.
"Please don't be fooled by the sudden wave of reopening restaurants, stores and salons around Sacramento," we wrote. "COVID-19 still stalks California. It will infect and kill many more people before this pandemic ends."
We noted that one local establishment "had patrons at every table and a crowd at the bar." We noted that the governor's mixed messages about the seriousness of the pandemic were confusing people. We noted that Lassen County had been forced to close down again after its rushed reopening resulted in a spike in infections.
"We are definitely headed in that direction, and the next four weeks will be pretty interesting," Dr. Lisa Barcellos, a UC Berkeley epidemiologist, told us at the time.
West Sacramento Mayor Chris Cabaldon called Yolo County's plans to reopen "a clear danger" to his city. He said California didn't have the testing and contact tracing capabilities necessary to reopen safely.
And here we are: Shutting down again as infections spike.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Sacramento County Public Health Director Peter Beilenson, own the most responsibility for this unfolding catastrophe. At a time when COVID-19 still posed a serious threat to public health and safety, they gave the green light to reopen. Many people interpreted their actions as a signal that it was fine to relax and return to normal life. Newsom and Beilenson must learn from these mistakes and avoid repeating them. They must follow science and refuse to be cowed by political pressure.
The rising infections we see today are the direct result of their error and, once the deaths are counted, they will need to fully account for their terrible decisions. Our leaders are not, however, solely to blame for this deadly debacle. The people who crowded the bars, refused to wear masks or decided to hold parties in the middle of the deadliest pandemic in memory must also take a look in the mirror. The irresponsible actions of a few have set us all back. Some people will pay with their lives due to these lapses in judgment.
"I went out a couple of weeks ago ... because of my stupidity I put my mom and sisters and my family's health in jeopardy," wrote Thomas Macias, a 51-year-old truck driver from Southern California who got infected with COVID-19 after attending a party last month. "This is no joke. If you have to go out, wear a mask, and practice social distancing."
Macias died the day after he wrote this, according to NBC News, but his final words are the best advice you'll ever get.
Don't be stupid. Stay home. Avoid crowds. Wear a mask. Stay alive so that you � and your loved ones � can celebrate the day this coronavirus nightmare finally ends.
