We can’t just wish coronavirus away. Science and testing must guide KC’s recovery plan

Our region may appear to be positioned more favorably for overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic compared to much of the country because of our relatively fewer reported cases and fewer deaths. It is not yet clear whether this represents a level of success from the local actions we have taken, or if the pandemic’s full impact on our region is still weeks away, as the rate of increase in the number of cases in Kansas and Missouri continues to climb. Still tragically, we have more than 1,400 confirmed cases in the Kansas City metropolitan area and have suffered more than 70 deaths.

Remaining hopeful is vital to our physical and mental well-being for fighting this pandemic. However, our only chance for emerging without even greater devastation — in Kansas City and throughout the country — is a slow and measured approach to opening up our communities and society that is based solely upon science.

Certainly sheltering in place remains critical, but it is a blunt measure that lacks practicality as a long-term solution and comes with great psychological, social, health and economic costs. Widespread, systematic testing on a massive scale is the linchpin in gaining control over the spread of this virus. It is an essential step before easing out of physical distancing. It is our only way to save lives and get the economy up and running.

It is currently up to state and city governments to manage testing, develop individual or joint plans for loosening physical distancing and reopen their jurisdictions in ad hoc fashion. But a pandemic does not recognize borders, and it is impossible to halt its geographic spread unchecked.

We must listen to science. Realistically, we will need our entire society to commit to make testing available as widely as possible, with sufficient funding to support rapid scaling, a pipeline for ongoing validation and allocation, a structure for administration in every community across the country, and support for a robust infrastructure to ensure continued response, transparency and accountability.

Once a comprehensive system of testing is in place, we must then use the results to isolate infected individuals, perform contact tracing as a means to identify and quarantine those exposed to the virus, and treat the sick with appropriate resources. Eventually, we will look for more widespread serological testing for antibodies in individuals who may have had COVID-19 to determine how many people in our communities have immunity. And, in parallel, we must continue to work on the ultimate goal of developing a vaccine, which is crucial but takes time.

No doubt, a number of mistakes have been made along the way at all levels with plenty of blame to go around. A lack of transparency, dismantling of a pandemic surveillance infrastructure, insufficient data and a languishing sense of complacency have led to a number of poor decisions and left our country much more vulnerable than was necessary.

As difficult and painful as it may be, enduring a stumbling economy for a few months rather than quickly reopening all businesses is the bitter pill we may all need to swallow. In the end, cities, states and countries cannot have healthy economies without healthy people. This virus will continue to linger among us for some time. If we are not monitoring it aggressively and taking appropriate public health steps, the disease may surge back with a vengeance, leaving in its wake even more staggering numbers of critically ill and dead, as well as an economy poised for further decline.

We are all in this together, and we must do our best in a very difficult situation. For the near future, any changes must be based upon the science, which begins with more widespread testing. We must also follow appropriate public health guidelines for an extended period, such as physical distancing, wearing masks in public and maintaining appropriate hygiene, as Mayor Quinton Lucas has urged.

We must get this right. Relying on mere aspirations that we will all be OK will put our citizens, city, country and the world at untenable risk. Throughout it all, we must remain hopeful. However, hope is not a strategy.

Marc B. Hahn is president and CEO of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.

This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "We can’t just wish coronavirus away. Science and testing must guide KC’s recovery plan."