Public needs to feel safe as state reopens

“If you see something, say something” — the catchphrase coined for post-9/11 anti-terrorist vigilance has a new purpose in coronavirus-era Massachusetts as the state slowly reopens and its citizens are urged to be safety compliance watchdogs.

Gov. Charlie Baker rolled out his administration’s reopening plan Monday, a fourphase project that lets some businesses get to work immediately: manufacturing, construction and houses of worship. Phase 1 continues May 25 with office and lab spaces, hair salons, barbershops, car washes, pet grooming and curbside pick-up for retail stores getting the green light.

Restaurants will have to wait for Phase 2, if Phase 1 goes well. That is weeks away, and there’s a chance some may not make it until then.

But since we’re not out of the COVID-19 woods yet, there are protocols for businesses that are allowed to open their doors. Businesses must display a “compliance attestation poster,” listing the following steps being taken for customer safety:

Workers are wearing face coverings and we’ve put social distancing measures in place

We provide hand washing capabilities and we are regularly sanitizing high-touch areas

Our staff has received training regarding social distancing and hygiene protocols

We have established thorough cleaning and disinfecting protocol

This must be signed and posted visibly.

But in spelling out the protocols, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito noted that businesses will self-certify that they meet the new standards. And while local departments of health, the Dept. of Public Health and the Dept. of Labor Standards will work jointly to enforce these standards, such actions would come about after someone makes a complaint, such as a worker or customer.

The DLS and local boards of health aren’t required to inspect businesses that are reopening.

For businesses that have been champing at the bit to get back to work, complying with coronavirus protocols is a small price to pay, and they will gladly step up. But it shouldn’t be up to customers and workers to make sure they toe the line.

This has been and is a scary time, as a spate of health reports detail how the virus can spread through talking, live on surfaces and travel through the air. While there are anti-maskers among us, there are many more who are reluctant to take any risks.

And for them, having confidence that the newly opened businesses in Massachusetts are safe is key. A recent survey by McKinsey & Co. found that consumers thinking about going back to shopping in stores are looking for increased cleaning procedures, physical distancing, masks and barriers.

But do they want to be the ones ensuring these procedures are being followed?

While it’s not feasible, due to time constraints, for departments of health to certify businesses before they open this month, checking in on sites as we move forward will: A) make sure shops are in compliance and B) give the public a measure of confidence that the places they visit have an official imprimatur that standards are being met.

It’s a different world as long as coronavirus is still a threat, and the emotional toll the lockdown has had on the public can’t be ignored. It’s not enough for businesses to open, consumers have to feel good about visiting them. Passing grades from the health department would go a long way toward achieving that end.