And in another piece penned by an assistant professor with the Knox School of Accountancy in the Hull College of Business at Augusta University; a certified public accountant, a chartered global management accountant, a certified management accountant and a certified financial manager.
Many states’ governors are pausing or even reversing plans to reopen their states during the COVID-19 health emergency. Here in Georgia, we were not only one of the last states to close, but we are one of the most aggressive states in reopening. We are charging full speed ahead in the face of the recent increases in positive cases and hospitalizations.
Is this a smart and rational path? Should Georgia businesses reopen? No doubt this virus is deadly. No doubt this is a hard decision.
On one extreme we have those supporting a total, albeit temporary, shutdown of society until the virus runs its course or a vaccine is widely available. On the other extreme, we have those arguing against any restrictions to their rights – important rights such as the freedom of assembly and the free exercise of religion.
I do not think this is an either-or choice – that is a false dichotomy. We have a rational, evidence-based middle path. Businesses, churches and schools can reopen and operate carefully. But being “pro-opening” does not mean that we should party in the bars or frolic in crowds at the beaches.
So why should businesses and other socially based activities reopen against the urging of well-intentioned public health officials?
Not to diminish the impact of any premature deaths, but there are serious long-term consequences to not getting back to work. Everyone sees the historic spike in unemployment, the surge in demand at food banks and the permanent shuttering of businesses without sustainable financial resources. These are actual consequences to shutdowns, and public health officials and other thoughtful commentators will say it is the price we have to pay to save lives.
Regardless of people’s and businesses’ financial crises, stifling economic and social life has led to dramatic drops in childhood vaccinations, routine medical and dental screenings, voter registration rates and childhood education – all of which will have long-term negative impacts on our society. It is widely expected that we will see increases in mental health issues, suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, and domestic violence.
Also, the consequences of business shutdowns disproportionately affect our most vulnerable citizens, further disadvantaging them. These are the people who do not always have the option to telework or to share child care and home-schooling duties with a partner.
I think a fully considered argument suggests businesses should be allowed to reopen if they choose. For business owners, and by extension the employees who work with them, cash to operate is running low as tax credits and emergency loans are running out or have not gotten to those who need them – microbusinesses and businesses unable to meet the application restrictions.
This is not about saving Wall Street; it is about saving Broad Street. Employees need to work to earn money to pay their bills and feed their families. What about employees who cannot afford to miss work but are afraid of the virus? These economically distressed employees, like all employees, deserve to be protected. This is a workplace safety issue, and under federal law, and good business ethics, employees are entitled to a safe workplace.
Science has learned, and subsequently educated businesses, on the proper hygienic measures to help protect employees and customers against this highly transmissible virus. This means commonsense measures such as rigorous cleaning of high-touch surfaces, frequent hand-washing and social distancing.
It also means mandatory masking. Being required to wear a face mask is perceived by some as paternalistic governmental overreach who feel it impinges upon their rights. For others, face-covering has been perverted into a partisan issue where wearing a mask or not is viewed as a provocative political statement.
Regardless, some high-profile companies have appropriately learned. Costco requires customers to wear masks to shop in their stores, and Delta requires passengers to wear masks to fly. This is not a matter of infringement of rights. Customers have the choice to comply or to not spend their money with that business. But businesses have a legal and moral responsibility to keep their employees safe.
Here in Georgia, and in Augusta, public officials have strongly encouraged the wearing of masks when away from home. Although your glasses may fog, you might imagine you are not getting enough oxygen in our muggy summer heat (you are), or you are not feeling sick (AU Health Chief Medical Officer Phillip Coule reports that 90% of infected people have mild or NO symptoms), it is rational and compassionate to wear a mask.
Deciding whether to send your children to school or to go to church in the time of COVID-19 are hard decisions. Deciding whether to reopen a business is a tough decision, too, but the evidence tells me it can be done rationally and carefully.
But one decision that is easy is deciding to wear a mask. I certainly do.
