Gov. Newsom: Time For Covid Clarity

February 8, 2021

Trying to decipher California's string of COVID-19-related orders is like trying to read the Dead Sea Scrolls with fogged-up glasses.

Since November 2020, we've seen a Limited Stay at Home Order issued on Nov. 21, supplemented on Dec. 22, and lifted on Jan. 25 of this year.

That wouldn't be so bad, except for the fact that the Regional Stay at Home Order put in place on Dec. 3 was also lifted on Jan. 25. This doesn't even include the Hospital Surge Order that kicked in on Jan. 5, got amended on Jan. 6 and again on Jan. 25, and got lifted on Feb. 5.

And with respect to L.A. County's own, separate orders which included re-opening guidelines for pickleball courts? I'm not going to go there.

At a time when clear communication couldn't be more important, California's public health directives have raised more questions than answers.

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Austin Beutner, in his weekly video address on Feb. 8, also highlighted the State's muddled messages. Beutner understands the urgent need for resuming in-person learning at LAUSD schools. But, as Beutner pointed out, the State's standard for re-opening schools requires an adjusted case rate dropping to 25 (expressed as new cases for every 100,000 people) for K-6 students to return, and with an adjusted case rate needing to go down to 7 for students in grades 7-12 to roam the halls again.

Beutner also questioned the State's logic: if a key goal is to re-open schools, why would we relax Stay at Home Orders when the case rate got even higher than the level it took to implement Stay at Home Orders in the first place? L.A. County was showing a case rate of 39 in November when the Limited Stay at Home Order kicked in. And when the Regional Stay at Home orders and the Limited Stay at Home Orders were lifted, L.A. County's case rate was 97. 

There may be a Department of Public Health wizard behind the curtain, with access to data and safety information we mere mortals don't have. Or, public health orders are being lifted haphazardly, pairing nicely with a looming recall threat that's spurring Newsom to give a pacifier to California businesses.

In either case, Newsom should explain exactly WHY the orders were lifted, with numerical evidence to back it up. If you can't show us which numbers inspired you to relax restrictions and raise the risk for virus transmission, you might as well head back to French Laundry for dessert and a nightcap.

What's also troubling is California's frequently changing goalposts for determining the priority groups for vaccine distribution.

In December, California announced a Tier-based system, subdivided by Phases. Health care workers, naturally, were the first priority. Members of the general population 75 and older would be in Phase 1B Tier 1. Phase 1B Tier 2 was supposed to be open to those aged 65-74 with chronic health conditions. But in January, the state decided all of those 65-74 year-olds without chronic conditions would be moved into Phase 1B. Those aged 50-64 -- regardless of chronic conditions -- were moved into Phase 1C. And then, as if intentionally wanting to confuse us further, all of those age 65 and over got placed in the first priority group after healthcare workers, erasing the distinction between those 75 and older and those 65-74. 

Reading California's vaccination priority list can't give you COVID-19, but it can give you motion sickness -- a tell-tale sign there needs to be better public-facing messaging when lives are at stake.

For both re-opening and vaccination, message clarity should drive the day. Tell us what case rate is needed for certain re-opening milestones, be they school reopening, indoor dining, or in-person event attendance, set it as a target, and stick to it. Tell us which groups need to get vaccinated first, and why -- and stick to it, too. If there's a hiccup in the vaccine supply chain that hampers California's vaccination efforts, say so (you can even blame the Feds!), and be clear about which group is going to get bumped further down the list of Tiers as a result.

There's a great scene in the movie Diner with an all-star cast including Kevin Bacon, Paul Reiser, Steve Guttenberg, and Daniel Stern. Reiser asks Guttenberg for a bite of his roast beef sandwich, but can't bring himself to ask it simply and directly. Guttenberg quickly grows impatient, and barks, "Say the words: I want the roast beef sandwich. Say the words and I'll give you a piece!"

The reason many Californians have a beef with you at the moment, Gov. Newsom, is that you need to say the words. Doing so will help restore confidence, provide critical information to all Californians, and, just maybe, innoculate you against a recall election. It's a shot you should be willing to take.

About David Gershwin Consulting

We can't speed up the vaccination process, but we can help you clarify your message, whether you're looking to lobby a lawmaker or master the media. We've worked with elected officials, Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to maximize their impact on the issues they care about. Get in touch to see how we can help you meet your goals and make your messages as clear as a bell. To find out more, visit www.davidgershwin.com