May 1 Reopening Of RivCo Economy Under Trump Plan? Not Happening

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — President Donald Trump's proposed rollback of anti-coronavirus measures to jumpstart the hobbled economy will not immediately change ongoing restrictions in Riverside County because COVID-19 cases have not "peaked," according to the county Executive Office.

"The spread of the disease is slowing, due to the public health measures currently in place," the agency said in a statement released to City News Service Thursday. "This is a continually evolving situation. As more data and information comes in, we will respond as needed."

The president joined with other members of the administration to unveil a multi-phase "Opening Up America Again" plan, which stemmed from findings that fully one-third of the country has recorded no new COVID-19 cases in the last 30 days.

More details from the White House plan are expected Friday.

"The peak of new cases is behind us," Trump said in a White House address Thursday. "We must have a working economy, and we will get it back very quickly."

The president unveiled so-called "gating criteria" that states and localities may adopt for phasing out some of the restrictions that have forced businesses to close and thrown roughly 22 million people out of work, according to U.S. Department of Labor data.

"This country has suffered," Trump said. "Restrictions can continue to be eased."

Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom appeared on the virtual Ellen Degeneres show, and told viewers, “We’re not there yet. We’re weeks away from going into a new strategy and a new reality ..."

In Riverside County this week, there was positive news that the COVID-19 doubling rate in the region had slowed to just over seven days. Previously, the county was doubling in the number of infections every four to five days.

"A longer doubling period is a positive indicator. However, it's also very important to note that we are still growing and don't see that Riverside County has peaked or plateaued in cases," according to the Executive Office. "In addition to the county's public health orders, we are still under the governor's executive order, as well."

That March 19 state order urges residents to remain at home as much as possible and prohibits non-essential travel.

As of Friday morning, the county has documented 2,264 COVID-19 cases, 59 deaths and 472 recoveries.