How Data Collection During the Country’s Reopening Can Accelerate Return to Normalcy

There is light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel. States like California have released their phased reopening plans and others, like Georgia, have already started reopening their states. In these phased responses, the first phase has typically consisted of reopening  lower-risk businesses and venues. Voluntary compliance with virus transmission mitigation practices like hand washing, social distancing and face mask use has been in everyone’s best interest and will continue to be since a resurgence of cases may lead governors to reinstate shelter-in-place orders, effectively squelching any economic rebounds. With that said, every state reopening represents an opportunity to collect data and identify best practices that can benefit other states.