Where things stand (in USA)

Where things stand

Georgia, which already allowed businesses including gyms and hair salons to reopen on Friday, is extending that privilege to movie theaters and restaurants for dine-in service today. Tennessee is also letting people eat at restaurants today, and retail stores can open on Wednesday. 

States including Montana, Colorado, and Minnesota are kicking off phased reopenings today, while stay-at-home restrictions expire for several other states this Thursday, April 30. Starting next Monday, “Almost every business in the state of Missouri will be able to open their doors," the governor said. 

This will not be business as usual. Let’s use Georgia’s restaurant restrictions as an example:

• At least six feet in between tables and bar seats
• 10 patrons per 500 sq. ft. of space
• No more than six people per party, no presetting of tables, and no salad bar

Is this...a good idea? 

On the one hand you have an economy that’s deteriorating at a thunderous pace. 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment claims in the last five weeks, wiping out all of the job gains since the Great Recession. Business lobbying groups and some lawmakers are desperate to get people back to work.

Others, including many public health experts and big-city mayors, say these reopening plans are dangerous, arguing states don’t yet have the testing or contact tracing capabilities to prevent further outbreaks. Those outbreaks could force more shutdowns, so we end up in a maddening revolving door of self-isolation. 

The big, final question: If you reopen, will they come? It’s not clear whether a nervous public—given the opportunity—will resume going to restaurants, bars, and gyms. This week will tell us a lot. 

Courtesy : MORNING BREW,  April 27, 2020.