MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – As the Safer at Home order has been extended to May 26th, those who have already become restless are now raising more concerns – especially in regards to the economy. What has to happen before Wisconsin is back in business?
The new order will relax restrictions just a bit as part of a gradual economic return. But Governor Tony Evers says we can’t return to business as normal until people can be confident about their health and safety.
“Nobody wants to open our economy as much as I do,” Evers says, “Businesses, workers, and us as consumers can’t be confident if we’re not confident about our safety and our health. Our number one priority when analyzing when best to reopen our economy is the health and safety of our residents.”
Some then may ask what it will take for state officials to gain that confidence. The answer seems to be patience and time, as well as continuing to take health precautions seriously.
“If we continue doing what we’re doing, we may be in a position to do it earlier. It may be later. We will work hard to make sure we do it right,” Evers says, “We can’t think of this like flipping a lightswitch, it’s like turning a dial. The more disciplined we are now, the faster we can turn.”
“A path has been laid out today that will lead us to reopening the economy. That path has to include testing and PPE, contact tracing, and isolation,” says Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes.
As that dial begins to turn back towards full power with some alleviation beginning April 24th, businesses of all kinds should start planning on how they will deal with health measures when people return.
“Businesses have all wanted to do the right thing. They want to make the right choices, and that shows us why Safer at Home has been working – because so many Wisconsinites and businesses have been working to do the right thing,” Hughes says, “If we don’t do the work to analyze our businesses, we’ll fall back behind the curve. Customers won’t be comfortable coming into your stores or sitting in your restaurants. Employees will feel uncomfortable working there. So we really have to take the time now.”
According to Hughes: 44,000 small healthcare and social service providers – 23,000 art, entertainment, and recreation businesses – and over 17,000 small food and lodging businesses in Wisconsin have been impacted by the coronvirus.
The Small Business Administration is also doling out loans to nearly 32,000 businesses in the state – collectively worth over $7.2 billion. Payments are expected within ten days of approval. Right now, there aren’t any loans left – but it’s possible they will become available again in the coming days.
Hughes says she saw COVID-19 hit Chinese economic markets all the way back in January, but nobody expected the virus to have the impact it has had on local economies and businesses.
“None of us forsaw the impact that this was going to have on the small restaurant in Ashland or independent painter in Green Bay – or the cancellation of conferences and festivals for many, many different organizations,” Hughes says.
It remains unclear when things will return to a semblance of what most regard as “normal,” but a true normality to the economy and society is unlikely to make a complete comeback until a treatment or vaccine is developed to combat COVID-19.
