States in the U.S. Begin to Reopen Businesses Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Since the coronavirus struck the United States so viciously in 2020, many government officials saw fit to quarantine, have states on lockdown and implement social distancing.  These measures have helped as the issue has gotten worse before it can get better.  The total number of COVID-19 cases in the United States totals over 1 million, with almost 80 thousand deaths.  However, with quarantine measures in place for months now, some states have decided to reopen for business and return to normalcy. Although they plan to take extra precautionary measures to avoid losing more money - government officials from other states decide to remain closed for various reasons.

Among the 50 U.S. states, approximately 30 have begun to partially reopen and 5 reopening soon.  Those that are still closed/restricted are Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon and California.  Many states fail to reopen yet due to a shortage of COVID-19 testing levels needed for safe reopening.  Analysis of the coronavirus outbreak shows that there are different factors involved in moving away from the pandemic – which include a shortage of tests, faulty tests, and guidelines that exclude people who should’ve been tested to avoid the outbreak.  Testing enough people to determine which states can reopen (and stay open) is the ultimate issue, which would require catching the reappearances of the coronavirus again before it spreads uncontrollably.  

Some states are struggling more than others to reopen due to factors like overpopulation, such as New York.  According to Twitter, the town of Huntington, NY is so desperate to reopen that they implemented a voluntary community-wide diet and exercise program that can fight off potential coronavirus complications.  Early evidence about the virus linked obesity and issues like high blood pressure and diabetes to more severe cases of COVID-19.

Other government officials in states such as Maryland are taking a different route.  According to a Facebook group named @ReopenMaryland, many citizens share their thoughts and opinions about the spread of the virus and feel as though governor Larry Hogan should reopen the state.  The page suggests that there have been more deaths since the lockdown than from coronavirus itself and that Hogan should get rid of “science-denying policies.”  Many complain that Larry Hogan enjoys the spotlight but avoids being transparent with taxpayers who need to know whether schools, churches and restaurants will open back up without waiting for a vaccine beforehand.