‘Conflicted’: Medical College of Wisconsin expert about Wisconsin re-opening in midst of coronavirus

So many of us own a varied hodgepodge of feelings about the re-opening of Wisconsin businesses after two months of the coronavirus pandemic.

That includes the people who are experts in the field of medical epidemics, experts like Dr. Mary Beth Graham of the Medical College of Wisconsin who act in the highest protocols of safety and encourage others to do the same.

“I must admit it was this mixed feeling. I truly feel conflicted,” Dr. Graham told WTMJ’s John Mercure Monday after driving through Brookfield over the weekend while many businesses re-opened.

“It was this feeling of hope when you see people out…then you drive by the Olive Garden restaurant and the parking lot was full and all I could think of ‘What are you doing?’ “

She also witnessed not only how businesses acted, but how their customers treated each other.

“About 50 percent of people in the stores were wearing masks vs. not, but being respectful about social distance,” she said.

“I was encouraged, but a little anxious.”

Dr. Graham warns about too many people not acting with caution.

“This virus has not gone away. It is not going to go away,” she warns.

“People can spread it asymptomatically. You want to be cautious and cognizant of that and think about handwashing, social distancing, etc. It’s not that you can’t do these things, but just be careful.”