Re-Opening Our Economy

As the shutdown of our economy to limit the spread of COVID-19 stretches into weeks, the question in many of our minds is: When will things reopen?

Federal stimulus programs for small businesses have run out of money. The meat supply chain has been interrupted with closures of packing plants, and our livestock producers are hurting. Protests are spreading across states which have implemented stay-at-home orders. Americans want to get back to work and get on with their lives. 

On the other hand, the threat of COVID-19 still exists. Nebraska has not yet reached its peak of COVID-19 cases or deaths, and District 1 is still vulnerable to an outbreak. 

Nebraska, unlike 43 other states in the country, have not shut down with a blanket shelter-in-place order. Restrictions will be eased from the statewide orders on a regional basis, and District 1, which as of this article, has 4 cases in a 2,400 square mile area, is well-positioned to have those restrictions eased when it begins. 

Knee jerk reactions, either in favor or opposed to an easing of restrictions, must be grounded in fact. Many were upset at the Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall reopening this week. Opponents have claimed that it flies in the face of the Governor’s 21-day recommendation to stay home, stay connected, and stay healthy. However, emotional reactions towards this end fail to take into account that many malls in Nebraska have remained open throughout the update, instead opting to allow their tenants to decide whether to stay open themselves. Therein lies the conflict of re-opening. Re-opening our country seems like a game of who will blink first, as state and national leaders do not want to be blamed for any unnecessary spread of COVID-19, but must also balance the interests of our economy and individual liberties.

Yes, COVID-19 concerns me. The long-term economic impact (especially for our small businesses) and the future consequences of leaning on the federal government’s restriction of individual freedoms by such a broad swath to contain a crisis concerns me, as well. Re-opening our lives and easing restrictions must take an approach that balances each of these interests. 

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604; telephone 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov