Georgia: Some Businesses Allowed to ReOpen

[Miss Marty]

* Georgia Governor, Brian Kemp (R) announced plans on Monday, April 20 to allow some nonessential businesses to reopen on Friday, April 24, 2020

The State of Georgia has a new COVID-19 hotline. If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic.

Please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility.

Georgia coronavirus disease hotline (844) 442-2681

* There are over 19,000 confirmed cases of
COVID-19 in Georgia, with at least 799 deaths.

COVID-19 Status Report

These data represent confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

dph.georgia.gov

 

[Old Hickory]

Georgia is a large state with counties that have few to none cases and 0 deaths. In fact, the majority of states are the same. Should everyone continue to suffer due to the major population centers?

Plus, we all know that nonessential has a very open-ended definition. Let the mayors and governors decide when is best.

 

[paxsarah]

Let the mayors and governors decide when is best.

Unfortunately, Kemp isn't allowing the mayors to decide anything at this point. His order supersedes any local order either more or less restrictive, which prevents mayors, city councils, and county commissions from taking into account local conditions and developing a local order that is appropriate for current conditions at the local or regional level.

 

[Rolltydr]

Georgia is a large state with counties that have few to none cases and 0 deaths. In fact, the majority of states are the same. Should everyone continue to suffer due to the major population centers?

Plus, we all know that nonessential has a very open-ended definition. Let the mayors and governors decide when is best.

How much testing has been done in those counties without any confirmed cases? I live next door in Alabama and there are a few poor, rural counties that have few or no cases reported but no testing has been done there either because the physical test kits aren’t available or there is no facility doing testing.

updated - I just checked again and now every county in Alabama has reported cases with the fewest being 3. There are a handful of counties still in single digits but most are into double digits or more. The state as a whole has over 5,000 cases with 175 deaths.

 

[Panina]

Unfortunately, Kemp isn't allowing the mayors to decide anything at this point. His order supersedes any local order either more or less restrictive, which prevents mayors, city councils, and county commissions from taking into account local conditions and developing a local order that is appropriate for current conditions at the local or regional level.

Which can cause tremendous ramifications. South Carolina is suppose to be one of the first states to go into phase one too. I live in northern Lancaster county in SC which borders on Mecklenberg (Charlotte NC) which has the highest number of cases in NC. Our county has very few cases in comparison. If they open businesses in my county and not in the bordering NC county we will have a flood of people coming over the border. Logic tells me our cases will then increase significantly.

 

[am1]

Which can cause tremendous ramifications. South Carolina is suppose to be one of the first states to go into phase one too. I live in northern Lancaster county in SC which borders on Mecklenberg (Charlotte NC) which has the highest number of cases in NC. Our county has very few cases in comparison. If they open businesses in my county and not in the bordering NC county we will have a flood of people coming over the border. Logic tells me our cases will then increase significantly.

Outlaw North Carolina cars in your county. Have citizens volunteer to help the police.

 

[Old Hickory]

Which can cause tremendous ramifications. South Carolina is suppose to be one of the first states to go into phase one too. I live in northern Lancaster county in SC which borders on Mecklenberg (Charlotte NC) which has the highest number of cases in NC. Our county has very few cases in comparison. If they open businesses in my county and not in the bordering NC county we will have a flood of people coming over the border. Logic tells me our cases will then increase significantly.

No that's not logic. That's fear.

 

[queenofthehive]

No that's not logic. That's fear.

It might help you understand her point if you looked at a map.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We'll find out if this experiment works or doesn't work in a few weeks.

 

[Panina]

No that's not logic. That's fear.

That is your perception, not mine. I am not afraid as I know what can happen and how to stay safe.

If it is still spreading over my border in NC , the risk is real that those coming from NC to shop in northern SC can spread it.

The north east states understand that and are coordinating together how to reopen.

Making believe it is not a potential issue is being afraid to deal with the truth, thinking it will just go away.

 

[Panina]

We'll find out if this experiment works or doesn't work in a few weeks.

My luck, I am in the experiment group.

 

[dayooper]

No that's not logic. That's fear.

Not saying you are wrong, but why is that fear?

In my humble opinion, thinking about these types of scenarios are a must. If we go blindly into making decisions without looking at data, thinking of the repercussions of those decisions and weighing the different options, we can't make safe decisions. Panina makes a valid point on what people potentially will do and if they all rush into her area, there may be a risk of bringing in the virus to her community. There have been examples of people travelling and bringing the virus to other places that aren't being hit as hard.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

My luck, I am in the experiment group.

I hear you. Even though the government opens businesses, that doesn't prevent people from continuing to SIP and social distance. It also doesn't force businesses to open.

It will be interesting to see how people and businesses respond. Will it go back to pre-Covid? or will we see people and businesses applying their own SIP and social distancing so the Governor's opening of businesses is a moot political announcement.

For example, could a business be sued if they fail to provide PPE to their employees and social distancing measures as a safety hazard?

Could a store deny service to anyone that doesn't conform to social distancing and wear a mask?

Could customers sue a business for safety hazard?

Will there be ADA lawsuits against stores that fail to provide safe access for those with chronic disabilities?

I am not a lawyer but it seems this is ripe for potential business liability. The USA is a litigious country and much of this territory is without precedent. Watch what happens.

 

[Panina]

I hear you. Even though the government opens businesses, that doesn't prevent people from continuing to SIP and social distance. It also doesn't force businesses to open. It will be interesting to see how people and businesses respond. Will it go back to pre-Covid? or will we see people and businesses being careful?

For example, could a business be sued if they fail to provide PPE to their employees and social distancing measures as a safety hazard? Could a store deny service to anyone that doesn't confirm to social distancing and wear a mask similar to terms of service? Could customers sue a business for safety hazard? I am not a lawyer but it seems there is potential liability.

Time will tell. All I know are many still do not take precautions. The stores will have many issues.

Yesterday we were in the front hard taking off a tree wrap. A resident came over way too close reaching out to touch it. I had to say please step back, 6 feet, you want to be safe. She responded I have been home, I cannot have it. I said but I was at the doctors office Friday, how do you know I am not a carrier?

This is happening over and over again.

 

[TravelTime]

I really hope people do not start suing each other. I hope the courts will throw out the cases or it will set a bad precedent, IMO. In a few cases, there might be clear negligence and/or intention to harm but those are probably the exceptions.

 

[Patri]

Details are coming out that this virus has been out much longer than we thought, and many more people had it and didn't get sick than we thought, which means the death rate is much lower than being reported. People need to get to work. The elderly, those with co-morbidities, and those are are concerned for their health can stay home and limit who they come into contact with. The rest should get out, wear masks, stay six feet apart, and get this country going again.
The tests only measure a moment in time. They could be different the next day. False positive or false negative is always a possibility. Some scientists are saying this hibernation was the wrong tactic, at least for the entire population. It should not drag on through summer.

 

[Brett]

Outlaw North Carolina cars in your county. Have citizens volunteer to help the police.

citizen border patrols !

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Details are coming out that this virus has been out much longer than we thought, and many more people had it and didn't get sick than we thought, which means the death rate is much lower than being reported. People need to get to work. The elderly, those with co-morbidities, and those are are concerned for their health can stay home and limit who they come into contact with. The rest should get out, wear masks, stay six feet apart, and get this country going again.
The tests only measure a moment in time. They could be different the next day. False positive or false negative is always a possibility. Some scientists are saying this hibernation was the wrong tactic, at least for the entire population. It should not drag on through summer.

Testing would indicate who should stay home. The problem is we are flying blind and that has pushed states into broadbased shutdowns. We don't know who are the asymptomatic spreaders.

 

[TravelTime]

I’ve heard some states have drive thru testing sites open and they are not busy. How are we going to get broad based testing if people do not go to get tested?

 

[Rolltydr]

I hear you. Even though the government opens businesses, that doesn't prevent people from continuing to SIP and social distance. It also doesn't force businesses to open.

It will be interesting to see how people and businesses respond. Will it go back to pre-Covid? or will we see people and businesses applying their own SIP and social distancing so the Governor's opening of businesses is a moot political announcement.

For example, could a business be sued if they fail to provide PPE to their employees and social distancing measures as a safety hazard?

Could a store deny service to anyone that doesn't conform to social distancing and wear a mask?

Could customers sue a business for safety hazard?

Will there be ADA lawsuits against stores that fail to provide safe access for those with chronic disabilities?

I am not a lawyer but it seems this is ripe for potential business liability. The USA is a litigious country and much of this territory is without precedent. Watch what happens.

Several restaurant owners in Alabama have said they will not reopen their restaurants to customers until more and better testing is in place so as not to put their customers or employees in danger. They said they would continue to offer curbside contactless pickup until then.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I’ve heard some states have drive thru testing sites open and they are not busy. How are we going to get broad based testing if people do not go to get tested?

True, who would go to the hassle and discomfort to get tested unless they had symptoms? OTOH I wouldn't be surprised if businesses require their employees to get regularly tested to ensure a safe work environment and avoid lawsuits.

Although there are testing machines now available, there is a lack of chemical reagents to run the tests. Reagents are manufactured overseas. This is why the Maryland Governor gave up on waiting for the feds and secured test kits from South Korea.

If businesses cannot get access to tests easily and affordably for their employees to avoid lawsuits, some may hold off on opening.

IMHO...If a restaurant was not taking precautions to regularly test their employees and imposing safety measures this falls into the "ick" factor me. It turns my stomach to think that someone with Covid is potentially hacking on my food or at my table.

 

[Rolltydr]

Details are coming out that this virus has been out much longer than we thought, and many more people had it and didn't get sick than we thought, which means the death rate is much lower than being reported. People need to get to work. The elderly, those with co-morbidities, and those are are concerned for their health can stay home and limit who they come into contact with. The rest should get out, wear masks, stay six feet apart, and get this country going again.
The tests only measure a moment in time. They could be different the next day. False positive or false negative is always a possibility. Some scientists are saying this hibernation was the wrong tactic, at least for the entire population. It should not drag on through summer.

And many others are saying the opposite.

 

["Roger"]

There is an article in The Guardian on this. The Guardian is an extremely liberal newspaper, so not surprisingly most of the article is quoting mayors in Georgia who are very upset with the reopening. (I am not saying this point of view is wrong, just that it would be the slant given in The Guardian.)

What I found most interesting is a fifth mayor almost immediately was texted by a restaurant owner concerned that reopening would be worse for him than staying closed. He thought that he would only get a trickle of customers willing to risk it. In the meantime, he would have to pay his staff and end up losing more money than staying closed.

There are certainly some interesting twists to this whole CoVid19 story. (Crude oil having a negative price where those who have to take possession will pay someone to take it off their hands! Wow!)

 

[TravelTime]

True, who would go to the hassle and discomfort to get tested unless they had symptoms? OTOH I wouldn't be surprised if businesses require their employees to get regularly tested to ensure a safe work environment and avoid lawsuits.

I do not think I could require testing of my employees unless it became mandated by the government. There would be a backlash, I think. I might be able to encourage and incent them to do it, though. But the current test is just a moment in time. It does not guarantee anything. I think the antibody test will be better. It feels like an invasion of privacy so I just do not see myself requiring any tests unless the government mandates it.

 

[Cornell]

This is one thing that I hope changes in my world once we get back rolling again....

The type of work I can do can easily be done from home. But my employer frowns on it -- they like "face time" in the office. In fact, there's a corporate culture that comes from the top that reeks of : come into the office even if you're sick . It's like a badge of honor -- who is "tougher" to gut through a workday to show how much mettle they have.

Last Jan / Feb, I would sit in my office and hear all kinds of continual coughing going on around me. I'm not a germaphobe, but it's just gross and nasty to listen to. WORK AT HOME!

I think, now, the office place culture will have to change b/c there are so many people who are just fearful and it will make the people at the top look really insensitive if they continue with the previous way of doing things.