Slow, steady and safe
Some barber shops and hair salons in the metro area reopened on Friday, taking advantage of Gov. Kevin Stitt's plan for a gradual reopening of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional businesses have permission to reopen Friday, although it's clear from our reporting that the ramp-up will be gradual.
That should offer some comfort to those concerned that the governor and various city leaders are acting too hastily. A sure way to drive up the number of coronavirus cases is to let large groups of people congregate in tight spaces. That clearly will not be happening.
As restaurants reopen in Oklahoma City, they will do so following guidelines recommended by a governor's task force of food-service professionals.
The recommendations include heightened sanitation protocols, including an initial deep cleaning of all surfaces and touch points; reconfigured spaces that have tables 6 to 8 feet apart for proper social distancing; taking employees' temperatures before work, and no parties larger than 10 in dining rooms.
While these are recommendations, Mayor David Holt plans to implement strict mask-wearing and social distancing mandates for businesses as they reopen. But these establishments already crippled by the coronavirus will want to do what is best to help keep the doors open.
This is why many restaurants will not be reopening Friday. For some owners, hiring back workers is proving problematic because emergency unemployment benefits provide employees more than they make on the job. But another factor trumps that, as The Oklahoman's Dave Cathey reported.
“Safety,” said chef Kurt Fleischfressser, director of culinary operations for Vast and partner in Western Concepts Restaurant group. His restaurants are shooting for late-May reopenings.
Jimmy Mays, co-owner of Cafe 7 and The Hamilton Supperette and Lounge, said cooks have been rehired but, “We just want to be safe. … we don't want to make things worse.”
Cathey interviewed several other restaurant owners who won't open Friday. They said chief concerns were safety of staff and the ability to make a profit with fewer diners.
Interviews with salon owners elicited similar views. Jenna Franks, owner of Well Beauty Studio in Oklahoma City, told our Carmen Forman that her employees “are hurting” after being furloughed. Even so, “the lives and the safety of the greater community is our concern,” Franks said. “We would like our personal services to be open when it's safe.”
It's clear that Holt is torn over letting Oklahoma City's shelter-in-place order expire. Friday will not be a time, he said, “to run into the streets and hug each other.”
His discomfort is understandable given the virus's clout. However, most Oklahomans have abided by local and state proscriptions and, we trust, will continue acting responsibly. And, it's evident that businesses are taking every precaution in reopening.
Their plan is to go slowly, steadily and as safely as possible. This should heighten the chances for success.