Fresno’s sure-fire way to reopen the economy from COVID-19? Follow one simple step

As all of us continue to navigate the troubled waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing a concerning spike in positive cases that not only threatens the lives and health of the public, but the already fragile economy in our communities.

Last week Gov. Newsom mandated the closure of bars and indoor dining statewide, while ordering the closure of several industry sectors in “monitored counties” (including Fresno). The new sectors required to close include gyms and fitness studios, hair salons and barbershops, churches (for indoor services) and more. We’re getting closer to the total shutdown of our economy we suffered through this spring.

Over the past three months, the chamber and our many partners with a mission of supporting business has worked alongside government officials at the local, state, and federal levels to reopen our economy as quickly and safely as possible. For the most part, everyone has pulled together, recognized what’s at stake, and tried in good faith to balance health risks with economic concerns. For the most part, the business community in Fresno and across the Valley has done an incredible job of recognizing the seriousness of the issue and doing everything it can to protect the public and keep people employed. However, the tide is starting to turn — and not in our favor.

In a region where poverty and high employment are the norm, and where economic downturns are often deeper and recovery often slower, we literally cannot afford another full shutdown. Unemployment is skyrocketing and businesses are permanently closing in large numbers. Obviously, the health and safety of the public is the paramount concern, but if we fail to take basic precautions, the recent moves by the governor makes it clear he will not hesitate in shutting more sectors of our economy and moving us even further back into a stage of the crisis few of us want to see.

Bars, hair salons, churches and restaurants are obviously not the sole cause of the spike in COVID cases and it is terribly unfortunate that these hard-working owners and employees are forced to have their livelihoods impacted again. Business owners across the Valley have worked very hard to allow for social distancing in their establishments, but the public needs to do its part. Shoppers who intentionally ignore the mask mandate are not only risking their health and that of fellow customers, but by pushing our case numbers higher, they are making a conscious decision to potentially trigger more shutdowns and jeopardize the economic future of their neighbors and their community.

It’s past time for all of us to come together as a community to take whatever actions we must to slow the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a mask is not ideal and is certainly not enjoyable. But health experts agree to a person that wearing masks are the best way to slow the spread of the virus if people must be out in public near others. That makes it our civic duty to do what we can to protect ourselves and protect both the health — and the livelihood — of others.

Save lives. Save jobs. Wear a mask.

This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 12:00 PM.