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The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent population health research center at UW Medicine, part of the University of Washington, calculates as of 4/22 that Ohio should not begin to open its economy until May 11 at the earliest.
The May 11 date assumes containment measures are in place, and that these measures include testing, contact tracing, isolation, and limiting gathering sizes. Yet Ohio's testing is limited, no plans are in place for enhanced contact tracing as testing rates increase, no mandatory and effective isolation policies are in place, and Ohio's limits on gathering sizes exempt religious activities (including weddings and funerals) and public protest gatherings.
Here's an article discussing the controversial decision of Georgia's governor to reopen many businesses from barber shops to restaurants by May 27 and beginning today.
<<Georgia is back open for business this week. On Friday the state will take an extraordinary step in reopening its economy by allowing certain businesses, including barber shops, nail salons, bowling alleys, gyms, tattoo parlors and more, to reopen. Church services can resume Sunday, and on Monday theaters and dine-in restaurants will be allowed to reopen. >>
So, once Ohio eases its social distancing policies, business owners need to consider many issues, including:
1) Will customers show up? If not the expense of reopening, then closing down, then reopening may overwhelm a business.
2) What legal risks may result by reopening? Do insurance policies adequately cover the risk (e.g., does the business have a large umbrella policy, and is this a covered risk?)?
3) Should business owners seek a waiver of responsibility from any employees returning to work AND not make returning to work a condition of continued employment?
4) Should business owners post signs saying that patrons assume the risks of visiting the establishment for desired services?
5) Should businesses provide personal protection equipment to employees and customers, and are such supplies even available, and, if so, at what cost?
6) What is the risk of a reescalation of the epidemic and that the social distancing policies will be reimplemented, forcing another shutdown? Can the business handle the costs incurred under such a scenario?
7) Should businesses wait 2-3 weeks before reopening to see how the reopening affects the COVID-19 case load, hospitalization,, etc.?
Does anyone else have any other considerations?
8) What communications to employees and customers should be made prior to the reopening?
Along the lines of "customers show up" - I (personally) feel reluctance two ways to do my favorite things.
1. My favorite restaurants, closest friends, regular pubs - all include "old people." Maybe I have COVID right now. I don't want them to get sick.
2. I am not "old" by the data - but I have some pre-exisiting conditions, related to lungs, and I, myself - do not want to get sick. .
The result is that plenty of places won't be seeing the business they used to see, some of them permanently. How many people just figured out how easy and cheap it is to eat at home? How many colleges just realized "online" is awesome...and now local eateries suffer? How many people just learned they can work at home permanently - so they don't need a new car, or car service, and they don't to drive past McDonald's five days a week. And so on.
I expect the economy to change - maybe still OK someday - but not the "same" in many ways.
It's not time to be selfish. We have to think of others. We don't want anyone to get sick.
Opening too soon could and probably will prolong the virus. Take it easy everyone. Be thoughtful, wear your masks. Abide by the 6 feet rules. We're all in this together.
Hey Kerby - are you OK? Talking Sense is not permitted on most of these forums.
I'm in Y-Town too - lots of dead people around here = lots of sick people. I don't want to become a paranoid nut about
this, but it's happening.
Still - even some of the smartest folks I know will not buy into this. While I am able to work from home - our office is "essential" and some core staff is there. They say "oh, I don't believe in that" or "I don't care if I catch it." That kind of thing. Makes me NEVER want to return to work. No masks. No thermometers. High-risk ("old") people still there.
These are (otherwise) smart people. I just don't get it, really.
Along the lines of "customers show up" - I (personally) feel reluctance two ways to do my favorite things.
1. My favorite restaurants, closest friends, regular pubs - all include "old people." Maybe I have COVID right now. I don't want them to get sick.
2. I am not "old" by the data - but I have some pre-exisiting conditions, related to lungs, and I, myself - do not want to get sick. .
The result is that plenty of places won't be seeing the business they used to see, some of them permanently. How many people just figured out how easy and cheap it is to eat at home? How many colleges just realized "online" is awesome...and now local eateries suffer? How many people just learned they can work at home permanently - so they don't need a new car, or car service, and they don't to drive past McDonald's five days a week. And so on.
I expect the economy to change - maybe still OK someday - but not the "same" in many ways.
Good post, cutting to the bones of this epidemic. Sadly, many experts believe creating a vaccine, contrary to common perception and hope, will not be an easy task, especially as the virus apparently mutates easily.
We regularly visited our favorite restaurants up until this lockdown went into effect, and we will most certainly return when it is lifted. There will be those who will continue to hide under their beds, convinced that it's just not safe. But that's their problem. I'm very much looking forward to our next restaurant meal and my next haircut. And our servers will receive generous tips.
BTW, we are 70 and supposedly in a high risk group. We're not, however, going to go about our lives in fear of a germ.
Lockdown's been extended to May 29th. According to DD (at whose house I'm staying during the duration) your governor announced this at midnight. I'm a PA resident, and PA will probably have a similar announcement. No restaurant, gym, or hair salon openings this month.
Hey Kerby - are you OK? Talking Sense is not permitted on most of these forums.
I'm in Y-Town too - lots of dead people around here = lots of sick people. I don't want to become a paranoid nut about
this, but it's happening.
Still - even some of the smartest folks I know will not buy into this. While I am able to work from home - our office is "essential" and some core staff is there. They say "oh, I don't believe in that" or "I don't care if I catch it." That kind of thing. Makes me NEVER want to return to work. No masks. No thermometers. High-risk ("old") people still there.
These are (otherwise) smart people. I just don't get it, really.
Talking sense is not permitted. Didn’t you get the memo? Using intelligence when it comes to covid makes too much sense for American society.
Lockdown's been extended to May 29th. According to DD (at whose house I'm staying during the duration) your governor announced this at midnight. I'm a PA resident, and PA will probably have a similar announcement. No restaurant, gym, or hair salon openings this month.
It’s been extended because dewine listens to medical experts over politicians.
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