The economy needs to be reopened and soon. That is the plain and simple truth of the matter. But how do we do that? Form task forces to talk in circles about making a plan? Or actually develop a plan?

Several states are and have formed regional coalitions to work on reopening their economies. 

Furthermore the CDC and FEMA have drafted a plan as well. 

“A team of government officials — led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — has created a public health strategy to combat the novel coronavirus and reopen parts of the country.

Their strategy, obtained by The Washington Post, is part of a larger White House effort to draft a national plan to get Americans out of their homes and back to work. It gives guidance to state and local governments on how they can ease mitigation efforts, moving from drastic restrictions such as stay-at-home orders in a phased way to support a safe reopening.”

Senator Ted Cruz is one of many who understands that keeping our economy closed indefinitely is unsustainable. 

As I stated above, we need to take more than a strong look at reopening the economy. We need to have an actionable plan. And no, Ezekiel Emmanuel, staying shut down for the next year while waiting for a vaccine is an idiotic consideration. Quite frankly, the cost to those who stay out of work for months if not years can cause MORE damage than this virus has. 

“Before the virus hit, America’s unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, the lowest in 50 years. Now Goldman Sachs predicts unemployment could spike to 15 percent by midyear. A St. Louis Federal Reserve economist grimly predicts 32 percent unemployment — worse than during the Great Depression.

Job losses cause extreme suffering. Every 1 percent hike in the unemployment rate will likely produce a 3.3 percent increase in drug-overdose deaths and a 0.99 percent increase in suicides, according to data from the National Bureau of Economic Research and the medical journal Lancet.”

Retail businesses have shut down, and we now see that the retail business as a whole took a huge hit in March. The numbers, quite honestly, will be worse by the end of April. Some, who are able to stay open, have seen a 50-95% drop in business. How long can those businesses survive that way? The answer is, THEY CAN’T. 

Furthermore, it isn’t just a restaurant closing for good that hurts the economy. As Bobby Stuckey points out, independent restauranteurs employ over eleven million people, making them the second largest employer in the country next to the federal government. 

“Tens of millions of jobs will vanish right behind ours. The restaurant industry directly employs tens of millions more people including the farmers, packers, beverage distributors, and delivery people up and down the food supply and delivery chain who depend on our revenue to stay in business. If we can’t open for business, this supply chain won’t last.”

So, what is the solution? Keep funding WHO? No. Talking in circles about making plans to reopen our economy? Not helping. Proposing an idiotic bill to pay $2,000 a month to people until employment returns to pre-Covid levels? REALLY not helping!

Or, proposing a plan such as the one that Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has put together. 

It’s a Phased Reopening that specifically outlines what business should continue to do regarding keeping the work environment as virus free as possible. Retail stores adopt stringent guidelines regarding number of customers, deep cleaning, continual disinfection of high-traffic areas, taking temperatures on regular basis, and more. 

The proposal also includes parks, gyms, hair salons, and restaurants. 

“Restaurants whose primary business is food service may open to half the seating capacity of their dining area as permitted by the Knox County Health Department, or 100 patrons, whichever is lower. Tables should be spaced, and seating arrangements coordinated, following the public health guidelines of the CDC—which is maintaining a distance of at least six feet between persons. Follow this model for the first two weeks. Open to 75% of seating capacity or 150 patrons, whichever is lower, for two additional weeks. Consider opening to full capacity after four weeks of phased reopening.”

There is a great deal to consider with Mayor Jacob’s proposal.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has created a detailed proposal for the strategic, phased reopening of businesses in Knox County. pic.twitter.com/ImQKQAsdhm

— Knox Co. Government (@KnoxGov) April 14, 2020

Is it a set in stone plan? No. But it IS a plan. It’s a plan that is resonating well with businesses across Knox County. 

I appreciate the level of thought that went in to this. It seems to me like moving to fast but I don't own a restaurant or bar or retail store that is going out of business. I'd like to see more encouragement of people wearing masks, gloves etc, anything that offers protection.

— David Helton (@dhelton212) April 14, 2020

Understandably, people are hesitant about enacting the plan as is, and some believe it’s too soon to consider. In my opinion, the lockdown has become too costly to sustain. Therefore, let’s work to move beyond “talking” about a plan and do as Mayor Jacobs has done by actually creating the framework of one. 

We need to quit cowering in our homes. We CAN reopen our economy and do so wisely by continuing to follow all medical protocols, protecting the vulnerable, and put America back to work.

Welcome Instapundit readers!

Feature Photo Credit: Elliot Anderson jeWhisperer via Pixabay.com, cropped and modified