As we continue to combat the Wuhan virus and adjust to these new normals, I am grateful that South Carolina is taking a new step toward opening once again.

President Donald Trump has announced a cautious, 3-phase approach for reopening our country. I am thankful that our President is committed to “Opening Up America Again” to promote jobs for our families.

Now that Gov. Henry McMaster has announced that South Carolina’s “Work-or-Home” order has been lifted and returned to voluntary status, our state is a step closer to being up and running again.

It is great to see families getting back to work, even if we are still limited in many ways for the safety of our community.

These gradual steps will slowly but surely get us up and running once again.

THE CENTERS FOR Disease Control has released new reopening guidance for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes.

These guidelines give specific details on how to disinfect your home or business so that you, your family, your employees or your patrons can remain safe from the Wuhan virus. It is important to remain vigilant and cautious as we reopen our state.

I encourage all families and business owners to follow these guidelines as we work toward recovering from this pandemic. The guidelines can be found on the CDC’s website, CDC.gov. I also want to remind all South Carolinians that if you or your family have concerns about this virus to visit the coronavirus.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Correcting a faulty belief

The belief that covid-19 mainly threatens older Americans can be deadly.

Those of any age suffering from an underlying health condition are at significant risk. And when these patients fail to take precautions, they put their own lives and the health of others in jeopardy.

Younger Americans have been slow to respond to the pandemic. They go to bars, attend parties, travel and eat in restaurants outside major cities where most are closed.

This is partly the result of a misunderstanding. The Centers for Disease Control said covid-19 posed a threat to the elderly and those with chronic conditions.

Health conditions that covid-19 complicate aren’t unique to the elderly. Heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, lung disease and asthma impact all who have them.

Nearly 4 in 5 Americans with heart disease are younger than 65. More than 1 in 3 in their 40s or 50s have high blood pressure. And roughly 1 in 6 of those aged 45 to 64 have some form of diabetes.

Many Americans who appear perfectly healthy are in the high-risk group. This has already led to avoidable tragedy. 1 in 5 people hospitalized due to covid-19 were aged 20 to 44, and over half were under age 65.

Kenneth Thorpe is a professor of health policy at Emory University and chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.