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 The COVID-19 crisis has forced state leaders across the nation
to make unprecedented choices. Lawmakers have had to adapt on the fly to new
data and research about the virus, as well as the severe economic consequences
of lockdown measures.
Unfortunately, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has fallen far behind states such as
Ohio, New York, Minnesota, Utah, Colorado and others on one key item: providing
residents a roadmap to safely reopen.
Pritzker should learn from other states, and provide Illinoisans with a
detailed, responsible reopening plan as soon as possible.
The effects of COVID-19
COVID-19 has caused over 60,000 deaths in the United States, while sickening
over 1 million more. The virus has caused widespread economic devastation as
well. More than 30 million people have filed for unemployment across the U.S. in
just six weeks between March and April as workers have been sidelined and
businesses have shut down under various state and local stay-at-home orders.
Nationwide retailers such as Gap, Macy’s and Kohl’s have furloughed workers, AMC
theatres is reported to be on the brink of bankruptcy, and small businesses
throughout the country have had to close their doors and drastically reduce
their staffs. Nearly half of U.S. adults have reported they or someone in their
household has lost a job or taken a pay cut because of the shutdowns, and more
than half of lower-income adults report job or pay loss, according to the Pew
Research Center.
Unfortunately, Illinois is no exception to the health threats or economic
destruction caused by the virus.
In addition to the state’s more than 2,300 deaths, and nearly 53,000 confirmed
cases of COVID-19, the surge in unemployment and lost income has devastated
Illinoisans across the state. Over 838,000 claims have been filed in the state
since March. For the six weeks between March 1 and April 16, Illinois
unemployment claims were more than 12 times greater than during the same time
period in 2019. And the economic fallout is expected to continue: Nearly 1.5
million Illinoisans are at risk of losing their jobs or having their work hours
reduced.
Illinoisans across the state are acutely aware of the daunting challenges faced
by their large and small businesses alike. Chicago-based United Airlines has
posted its largest quarterly loss since 2008, and small businesses from
restaurants in Chicago to landlords in Morton to hair stylists in Oak Lawn are
struggling to hold on.
Pritzker said Illinois has formed a coalition with other Midwestern states whose
governors are consulting on plans for reopening. And at his press briefing April
24, the governor indicated that, while Illinois’ stay-at-home order will
continue through the end of May, with some slightly loosened restrictions, his
administration is meeting with mayors and business leaders across the state to
determine how reopening might take place in various areas and in different
industries.
On April 28, Illinois state Sens. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, and Paul
Schimpf, R-Waterloo, released a plan that contemplates a regional approach to
phased reopening. Under their plan, Illinois regions could start the first step
of reopening when they meet certain criteria for steady or declining
hospitalization rates and sufficient regional health system capacity. Businesses
and activities would be evaluated for reopening based on their capacity for
accommodating social distancing, with retail stores, outdoor gatherings under
50, dental services and hygiene activities included in the first phase. Gyms,
restaurants and bars would reopen with occupancy restrictions in phase 2, and
movie theaters, sporting events, indoor religious gatherings and shopping malls
to follow in phase 3.
But the governor has not yet made public any detailed proposal or plan for
safely reopening.
Uncertainty makes planning for the future impossible, and Illinoisans are
desperate to see the way forward from the current crisis. Pritzker should make
public his plans for lifting restrictions, indicating the health metrics his
administration will rely on and what the various phases of reopening will look
like for Illinois residents, businesses and institutions.
Reopening plans among states
The White House has issued guidelines for states making reopening plans. With
these in mind, as well as the input of other medical and public health experts,
many states have made public their plans for reopening their economies. Here’s a
look at some state reopening plans and announcements across the country.
Ohio
Gov. Mike DeWine announced April 27 that the state will start gradually
reopening May 1, with certain nonemergency medical procedures, as well as dental
and veterinary services being the first in line.
 The Responsible Restart Ohio Plan provides detailed guidance on how different
sectors should go about safely reopening their businesses. Manufacturing,
construction, general offices and distribution businesses can reopen May 4
provided they meet safety requirements for employees and customers. Retail
establishments can reopen May 12 with safety measures in place. The governor
also announced increased testing and tracing capacities to allow the state to
better track and control the spread of COVID-19. Other institutions and
businesses such as schools, day cares, restaurants and salons are not scheduled
for reopening yet under the plan.
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Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order allowing certain
“noncritical” businesses to start reopening April 27. In determining
which businesses and manufacturers can start reopening, the state is
evaluating factors such as how many workers they have in their
space, as well as how much foot traffic they bring in.
The order is primarily focused on industrial and office-based
businesses that generally don’t have much in-person customer
interaction. Companies eligible to reopen must establish and
implement COVID-19 preparedness plans. The Minnesota Department of
Employment and Economic Development has published guidelines to help
businesses and manufacturers develop COVID-19 plans to start safely
reopening.
Utah
On April 17, Gov. Gary Herbert released the second iteration of a
plan, Utah Leads Together, which contemplates a “soft” reopening
starting in May, with flexibility for different areas, dependent on
meeting criteria focused on health system readiness, testing
capacity and certain disease transmission measures.
In the phased recovery, an area that meets the health criteria can
begin to proceed from the first “urgent” stage to the
“stabilization” stage. Ultimately, the “recovery” stage will come,
though is not expected for several months. The plan provides
specific industry guidelines for reopening and operating as safely
as possible in the different stages. Some counties have very few
cases and are already allowing gyms and fitness centers to reopen
with strict safety protocols.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans for a phased-in reopening on April
27. Under the plan, retail stores, movie theaters, malls, museums,
libraries and restaurants can open May 1 at 25% capacity. In areas
of the state with minimal cases, these businesses and institutions
can operate at 50% occupancy.
The first phase is expected to last until May 18. The governor said
additional businesses, such as barbershops and gyms, might be able
to reopen in phase 2, which could start as early as May 18. Abbott
also announced a new statewide testing and contact tracing program.
Abbott formed a Strike Force to Open Texas, which includes leaders
from the state’s medical, government, business, industry, financial
and nonprofit sectors, and which has been charged with developing
plans and advising the governor on safely reopening various parts of
Texas’ economy.
Maryland
Gov. Larry Hogan released a plan April 24 that contemplates
initiating reopening when certain public health criteria are met,
such as a two-week decline in the rate of hospitalization, including
use of intensive care units, as well as the number of deaths. The
plan lays out three phases for gradually reopening shuttered
businesses and slowly resuming activities. The plan lists the
members of the governor’s recovery team, including health experts
and government and business leaders. The plan has no dates for
commencing the phases of reopening, but the governor said he hopes
phase 1 could begin in early May.
Colorado
On April 20, Gov. Jared Polis outlined what a return to work would
look like for Colorado, with details about the phases of reopening.
The state’s stay-at-home order expired April 26, and the governor
issued a new “safer-at-home” executive order on April 27. The
governor is forming a New Normal Advisory Board to advise him on
safely reopening Colorado’s economy.
While certain nonemergency medical, dental and veterinary procedures
resumed April 27, as well as retail business conducted through
curbside pickup and delivery, many other businesses, such as nail
salons and barbershops, are expected to reopen by May 1. The
Department of Regulatory Agencies will issue rules regarding
reopening precautions and procedures. Some areas such as Denver will
keep their stay-at-home orders in place for longer.
New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on April 26 a phased-in plan to reopen
New York, starting with less affected regions and with the
construction and manufacturing industries being the first to reopen.
The governor’s plan is a broad outline that contemplates reopening
on a regional basis once a designated area experiences a 14-day
decline in its hospitalization rate.
After construction and manufacturing, additional businesses may open
in phase two, with “more essential” businesses that also pose less
risk for spreading the virus to proceed before “less essential”
businesses or those that pose a greater risk for spreading the
virus. There will be two weeks between each phase to monitor the
health effects of the reopening and the ongoing capacity of the
health care system. The governor’s announcement indicated that more
precise plans are in the works between the administration and
business and industry representatives.
And in Illinois?
Governors across the country have published their reopening plans
for businesses and residents. Pritzker should do the same.
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