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* UPDATED x1 * If you want to fix the economy, you gotta first deal with the virus

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* Scott County had been the only county in the state without a confirmed COVID-19 case until last week. Neal Earley with the Sun-Times headed over there to have a look around. It’s a good piece, so you should read the whole thing, but here’s one excerpt…

Like so many other parts of Illinois, the county is eager to return to normalcy, [Winchester mayor Rex McIntire] said.

But some restaurant owners say they’re not seeing a return to that normalcy. In Winchester, many townspeople are still wary of returning to indoor dining.

At the Pitt Stop, a restaurant along the main square in Winchester, business remains slow. Owner Jeff Pittman attributes it to coronavirus concerns and summer heat keeping customers away.

Pittman, who serves as an alderman in Winchester, said he mostly closed his restaurant to indoor seating. He was the only one working at this restaurant Monday night. […]

A few weeks ago, a visitor from the Chicago suburbs showed up at Winchester Bowl, a popular restaurant and bowling alley in town […]

But even back then, business was slow and has yet to pick-up, limited to carry-out food orders. Few are bowling. Around happy hour on Monday, Granger had just one customer.

It’s not the disaster proclamations, it’s the virus. People need to wear masks, keep their distance and use actual common sense until there’s an effective treatment and/or vaccination.

Throwing people to the zombies is not the answer here.

*** UPDATE *** Greg Hinz has some national poll results from Harris…

Forty-three percent of those surveyed said mayors should make limiting the spread of COVID-19 the priority over reopening business, with 35 percent saying both should be equal priorities. Just 15 percent—about 1 in 6—said reopening should be the priority. […]

Asked specifically about reopening offices, 8 percent said workplaces should reopen immediately without restrictions, and another 56 percent said sometime this summer, with safety requirements in place. But 19 percent said offices should wait until “fall/winter” to reopen, and an additional 17 percent said offices should stay shut “indefinitely.” […]

Safety masks are popular, at least in theory. Seventy-seven percent of those surveyed say they wear masks every time/most of the time when they are out in public. But only 49 percent say all or almost all of those they see out are doing so.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 9:59 am

Comments

Rich, I think it was you who shared the data from JP Morgan that correlated a return to restaurant dining with an increase in cases.

Throwing people to the zombies, it turns out, just creates more zombies.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:07 am
“Throwing people to the zombies is not the answer here.”

Amen times a million (multiple banned punctuations).

And Mr. Miller, I toss my best embroidered handkerchief to you, with many blown kisses (banned punctuation). That final sentence may be on of the best on the internet in this decade (banned punctuation). Michelin 5 star quality, sir (banned punctuation).

Comment by Lynn S. Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:09 am
Wise words Rich, which make you’re a heretic to the economic gods. Or, should I say the GOP politicians who want to distract folks from the utter incompetence of the party’s handling of COVID-19.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:13 am
The virus is most definitely keeping me from returning to normalcy and going to indoor congregate settings that don’t require masks and social distancing, or where it’s physically not possible to keep apart. It’s like that for so many.

Our exploding national virus numbers are a combination of irresponsible behavior and failed leadership. Laws and other legal actions are made to protect us from the irresponsible. Reopening too soon and total neglect and denial, like the president is doing, put millions in harm’s way. Mask and social distancing requirements are necessary.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:15 am
“Throwing people to the zombies.”

Nice, even handed, logical description.

Comment by Ray Gun Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:17 am
I read yesterday? The day before? 1967? A study that suggested that of the 60% downturn in the economy, only 7% of that could be attributed to stay-at-home orders.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:21 am
=== Throwing people to the zombies is not the answer here.===

Covidiots can’t help themselves.

To the post,

“You can’t have an economy with a pandemic.

Control the pandemic, you can have an economy.”

True when it was coined, even more true as Covidiots think this is all manageable.

I’m old enough to remember when I was told we are going to owe Florida an apology…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:22 am
You do have to control the virus.
I honestly don’t know how you do that in this country.
I cite the facebook comments following Union county’s decision to cancel the fair next month.
Stupidity is rampant.

Comment by efudd Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:33 am
“Covidiots can’t help themselves.”

Good one, Willie (banned punctuation).

I think I’m younger than you. What do we Florida an apology for?

Comment by Lynn S. Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:34 am
The virus is the boss…is the boss…is the boss.

We need a new Boss in order to defeat this virus.

I’m 99% positive.

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:40 am
=== What do we Florida an apology for?===

Editorial(s) including Rich Lowry’s, written way too early to things touting Gov. DeSanits and Florida’s handling, and a reopening there.

Easy to find, no link is necessary.

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 10:45 am
NY Times has a great article on Sweden making the same point: the nation was an experiment in staying open and accepting more cases in exchange for saving the economy. But the economy was battered nearly as much as closed countries, as people still adjusted their behaviors because of the virus. They got all the extra COVID and little of the benefit.

In stark contrast, the nations that took the strongest measures are now the most open.

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 11:06 am
sounds so simple, but we know its not.
Big news today in the St. LOUIS area is the huge backlog of evictions which are about to begin. The next shoe to drop will be the property tax delinquencies.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 11:10 am
Sweden offers lessons on this topic. From the NY Times:

== LONDON — Ever since the coronavirus emerged in Europe, Sweden has captured international attention by conducting an unorthodox, open-air experiment. It has allowed the world to examine what happens in a pandemic when a government allows life to carry on largely unhindered.

This is what has happened: Not only have thousands more people died than in neighboring countries that imposed lockdowns, but Sweden’s economy has fared little better.

“They literally gained nothing,” said Jacob F. Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington. “It’s a self-inflicted wound, and they have no economic gains.” ==

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/07/business/sweden-economy-coronavirus.html?referringSource=articleShare

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 11:11 am
Hat tip to lakecountydem .. .
I was typing while you were posting

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 11:12 am
But how to fix the virus is not easy. The Governor has showed us interstate travel, non-essential work, sporting events, and large gatherings with no social distancing are ok. As long as the Governor continues to publicly disregard public safety, he can expect the public to do the same.

Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 11:29 am
===The Governor has showed us…===

Ok. Now do health care professionals…

(Sigh)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 11:31 am
United looking to layoff 36,000. Yikes.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 12:19 pm
Speaking as someone who has been quarantined out of state for the past six weeks or so, I fail to understand how “interstate travel” (by car) creates any risks for anybody. I don’t think JB cares whether I am socially isolating in Michigan or Illinois, as long as I’m wearing a mask and staying at least six feet away from everybody else.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 12:26 pm
===I cite the facebook comments following Union county’s decision to cancel the fair next month.===

I went through those last night. I wish I could be surprised, but my hometown has a lot of covidiots.

Comment by TheAardvark Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 12:27 pm
“sounds so simple, but we know its not.”

You should tell the European Union it’s not simple — they’ve got a population comparable to ours but their new case rate is eight times lower than ours.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 12:53 pm
What misterjayem said.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 12:55 pm
==Speaking as someone who has been quarantined out of state for the past six weeks or so, I fail to understand how “interstate travel” (by car) creates any risks for anybody.==

As part of last month’s reopening, from how I interpreted the memo, Secretary of State employees who traveled anyplace out of state (even surrounding states and St. Louis) are required to self-quarantine for 14 days after their return to Illinois.

Comment by Chatham Resident Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 1:00 pm
@ Soccermom,

Staying in your car isn’t the problem. It’s the stopping for gas, hotels, drive-thru for coffee or food that can cause problems.

We also seem to have a couple of Covid-19 mutations circulating in the U.S., and it’s possible you may be asymptomatic but carrying a different strain to the area you’re going to. Or pick up a different strain and bring it back home.

Comment by Lynn S. Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 1:13 pm
==As part of last month’s reopening, from how I interpreted the memo, Secretary of State employees who traveled anyplace out of state (even surrounding states and St. Louis) are required to self-quarantine for 14 days after their return to Illinois==

No. that part of it was while we were working from home during phase 1 and 2 of the plan. We came back in phase 3, when travel was not restricted. So therefore, we do not have to self quarantine for travel now. We have to self quarantine if we are exposed to the virus or have had to take a Covid test for any reason - until cleared.

Comment by thoughts matter Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 1:21 pm
The European Commission states the economy will shrink even further than it expected.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 1:53 pm
====It’s the stopping for gas, hotels, drive-thru for coffee or food that can cause problems.

Gas and drive-thru aren’t that problematic though. Gas, most can pay by card and sanitize your hands though the gasoline probably does that (still use the sanitizer people). Drive-thru seems relatively okay b/c food transmission seems low risk and most of them have barriers. Don’t get me wrong, both increase risks, but in a manageable sense.

Hotels may vary depending on practices at the hotel, but clearly more risk as you may face interactions in hallways and such.

I’ve had to think about this a lot as we have two relatives in hospice as of today. One we got to say goodbye to because he is at home, the other we won’t, but I’ll need to make the trip to take care of some of the logistics of the estate.

Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 3:35 pm
=It’s the stopping for gas, hotels, drive-thru for coffee or food that can cause problems.=

The main issue seems to be the number of people that you may come in contact with and duration of that contact. Stopping for gas or food or even staying at a hotel wouldn’t necessarily increase the risk. And certainly if contact is limited there are simple things that can be done to protect yourself, masks, distancing, hand washing.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 4:22 pm
To circle back, this excerpt from the original post is 100% true:

== It’s not the disaster proclamations [that’s hurting the economy], it’s the virus. People need to wear masks, keep their distance and use actual common sense until there’s an effective treatment and/or vaccination. ==

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Wednesday, Jul 8, 20 @ 4:23 pm