Compare the numbers

Our lives are going to be different after the coronavirus. We will have to adapt to the new precautions that may come with reopening the state.

Examples of these new factors are maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask in businesses, and no large gatherings of people. These are all to prevent a second wave/outbreak of the virus. While Gov. Inslee extends restrictions beyond May 4th, Spokane and Eastern Washington should reopen businesses and lift stay-at-home restrictions sooner than the Seattle area, while still taking these certain precautions.

This in turn is backed up by the fact that there have been 317 cases in Spokane County with only single-digit growth, and 5,532 confirmed cases in King County with 385 deaths. There have been more deaths in King County than there have been cases in Spokane! While the Seattle area has a larger population, Spokane, the second biggest city in the state, only has 317 of the 12,282 confirmed cases statewide.

This is again why Spokane and other places across the state not as badly hit by coronavirus should reopen businesses earlier, but still take precautions like keeping schools closed, and lifting restrictions over time. I don’t think the actions taken by one region should always be the same actions taken by another region that has differences in the situation.

Zach Zwiesler

Spokane