Mass. begins reopening economy with manufacturing, construction, churches
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Gov. Charlie Baker
Manufacturing and construction may resume on Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker announced in a highly-anticipated Monday press conference about reopening the Massachusetts economy, attributing the development to collective cooperation with social distancing rules, which he said helped flatten the spread curve of the coronavirus.
All reopening industries will be required to adhere to social distancing guidelines intended to protect customers and employees from spreading or contracting the virus, Baker said.
The announcement came as the governor unveiled a timeline for reopening an economy shuttered for two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Places of worship will also be allowed to open their doors beginning Monday, Baker said.
More industries will begin reopening on May 25 and June 1, Baker said.
Among those industries on deck to begin reopening while also following guidance intended to prohibit the spread of COVID-19 on May 25 are retailers, which Baker said will be allowed to provide curbside pickup. Certain personal care industries will also be allowed to resume operations, such as hair salons and barbers.
Offices outside of Boston will be allowed to reopen up to 25% capacity, as long as they follow social distancing guidelines.
Some outdoor and recreational facilities will be permitted to begin reopening on May 25, Baker said.
While providing Monday’s update, Baker announced a new Safer at Home advisory, which encourages Mass. residents to stay home unless they are traveling to a facility recently reopened. The advisory advises those over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions to stay at home.
“The virus will be with us throughout the reopening process, and everyone’s required to cover their nose and mouth if you can’t maintain six feet from those around you,” Baker said.
Reopening guidance for business owners is available at Mass.gov/reopening.
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The governor's attempts to micro-manage human behavior and impose his judgment over common sense in the opening of businesses has become almost comical. While other states are opening with no adverse effects, Massachusetts remains under strict government control. As has been the case since the beginning, the restrictive orders make little sense under close examination. For instance, it will be OK to go to the beach next Monday, but not next Sunday? You can camp with an RV, but not with a tent? And Target and WalMart can be filled with customers, but Macy's and JC Penney can open only with curbside pickup? Two months ago, the goals of the lock down were to "flatten the curve" and avoid overwhelming hospitals. The curve was flattened a while ago, and hospitals are going broke while treating a dwindling number of COVID patients, and the purpose of the order now seems to be to flatten the Massachusetts economy and crush the spirit of the governor's subjects. By now, everyone is conscious of the need to be careful. The governor now has to get out of the way and let business owners and recreational facility operators and their customers figure out the details of how to do it responsibly.
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