To beat the COVID-19 pandemic, Fresno-area business owners need to hang the closed sign

It is unfortunate when a city has to fine a business for violating the rules.

But that is exactly what happened last weekend to two Fresno tobacco dealers. One on East Kings Canyon, the other on West Shields, the shops were found to have violated the city’s order to stop operating as nonessential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each business was slapped with a $1,000 fine.

The city’s order is part of a Fresno-wide emergency in light of the ongoing pandemic. As of Monday, Fresno County had identified 53 cases of coronavirus. No deaths had been reported in Fresno County, but the state tallied 149 deaths.

The point behind the order is to get people — store owners, employees and customers — to stop congregating together in groups in which the virus can be easily spread.

No one likes shutting down a business, least of all an owner who has worked hard to make it successful. But, in this pandemic, merchants have to accept their need to sacrifice for the greater good. The sooner they comply, the faster the pandemic can end, and the economy — and the businesses that make it go — can reopen and get back to normal.

Uneven compliance

Fresno’s order is specific to businesses within city limits. Beyond the boundaries of cities, counties are operating under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order issued on March 19. In that order, Newsom ordered everyone to stay at home due to the pandemic, with certain exceptions.

The key explanation of the governor’s order is this: “Businesses and organizations that provide critical infrastructure for the state are exempted, including health care and public health, public safety, food and agriculture and media.”

The governor’s order spells out just what businesses can remain open and who can keep working.

It does not say anything about shoe stores. And yet, on Monday, following a reader’s tip, The Bee called a shoe store in the 100 block of North Gateway Drive in Madera. Yes, the shop was open until early evening, the clerk on the phone said.

A smoke shop in Madera was checked, and the clerk said it was open till 9 p.m. What about the governor’s order for such places to be closed, the clerk was asked. “We’re trying to figure that out,” was his response.

Fresno County is hoping to appeal to business owners’ moral and ethical sense. County spokesman Jordan Scott said officials were looking to get voluntary compliance from business owners to “minimize public gathering and maximize social distancing.”

If that does not work, stricter enforcement, including citations and fines, could be used, he said.

Keep your distance

Ultimately, it may well come down to consumers showing stores they have no business remaining open. Shoppers should consider avoiding such places until the pandemic is over.

Getting groceries, take-out meals and going to the doctor are necessities. Both the governor’s order and Fresno’s recognize the need for those trips.

Otherwise, nonessential businesses should close and weather the pandemic as best as they can. Retreat to home, don’t get sick, live to see another day. Hopefully that closed sign can soon flip around to declare “open.”