President Trump just completed an amazing press conference on Covid-19. He called on multiple private sector resources to come and report on tracking, testing, and actions they were taken. Actions ranged from development of new testing tools to web site for on-line screening to making parking lots available at Wal-Marts around the nation for drive through testing.

President Trump’s style stood out like a bright lighthouse. The government representatives focused on cutting red tape and working closely with private sector to deliver results.

Government bureaucracy tends to focus on process. In this case, the press conference did not focus on process. It focused on results. New testing tools were developed and approved within hours, not months or years.

President Trump emphasized that the federal government is working closely with the states. His declaration of a national state of emergency will expedite resources.

Governor Kemp and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) are keeping the public informed. Yesterday Governor Kemp announced a new website dedicated to keep the public informed. The Georgia Department of Public Health Covid-19 Daily Status Report site lists the counties with confirmed cases.

Americans have many reasons to be proud of the actions of President Trump. Georgians also have many reasons to be proud of the actions of Governor Kemp.

The stock market rallied as the President made his announcement. The stock market surged to its largest single day point gain ever.

In my last post, I listed the places where I planned to be speaking over the next week. I mentioned that these were subject to change. They did change.

News outlets in our area reported two cases of the Covid-19 virus at Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany. The Republican Party in next door Lee County cancelled their meeting Tuesday night. Crisp County postponed a big Republican rally at Lake Blackshear Retreat scheduled for next Thursday.

In this environment, trying to get people to come to a large event is like promoting an outdoor picnic while there is a tornado warning in effect.

There are striking changes in day to day behavior that should be temporary. The normal handshake disappeared overnight. Now it is a fist bump, elbow bump, or toe tap.

I wonder how many slips and falls caused by the contortions to avoid the possible transmission of the virus through a handshake there have been. We will know that someone researched it when we see the law firm commercials about it.

Given the circumstances surrounding Covid-19 and the manner in which it spreads, the change in behavior is appropriate on a temporary basis. If you get a bad cold, you change your behavior until the cold has passed. This is the same type of adjustment except on a broader scale.

This, too, will pass. The number of reported cases will likely climb, but then will level and drop. Travel bans will be lifted. The stock market is climbing again.

It will not be long before we can relax on the aggressive preventative steps. We will return to a state of normalcy.

For me, I can return to my old-fashioned grassroots style of campaigning. The timeless symbol of friendship, welcome, and friendly greeting will be back. The Handshake Will Return.

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