Hey guys,
For the most part, businesses have reopened nationwide with a some state exceptions. Like, Jessie, you're in illinois, right? You're in "phase 4" and have been since July. Few things are shuttered in Illinois phase 4 though there are some density limitations,
from the Illinois site:
Gatherings: All gatherings of 50 people or fewer are allowed with this limit subject to change based on latest data & guidance
Travel: Travel should follow IDPH and CDC approved guidance
Health care: All health care providers are open
Education and child care: P-12 schools, higher education, all summer programs, and child care open with IDPH approved safety guidance
Outdoor recreation: All outdoor recreation allowed
Businesses:
- Manufacturing: All manufacturing open with IDPH approved safety guidance
- “Non-essential” businesses: All employees return to work with IDPH approved safety guidance; Employers are encouraged to provide accommodations for COVID-19-vulnerable employees
- Bars and restaurants: Open with capacity limits and IDPH approved safety guidance
- Personal care services and health clubs: All barbershops, salons, spas and health and fitness clubs open with capacity limits and IDPH approved safety guidance
- Entertainment: Cinema and theaters open with capacity limits and IDPH approved safety guidance
- Retail: Open with capacity limits and IDPH approved safety guidance
A few things remain closed, like most theaters probably haven't opened but that's due to people not feeling comfortable sitting next to a stranger for two hours in the middle of a pandemic... not due the the government. They've been allowed to open for 3 months... but they don't think they can make a go of yet yet, profitably.
The US did a very weak "flatten the curve" lockdown compared to more successful countries. Frankly it was spotty at best, and while we did keep the hospitals from overflowing (except in a few places like NY in March/April and TX/Florida in early summer), we didn't keep the replication factor of the virus below 1 for long... only during the strictest lockdown phases did we accomplish that. So, the minute we loosen the reigns, things heat up.
Case in point: here in Indiana, we opened up a bit over summer but there were still some restrictions on density, masks were required, etc... Cases went up but it was a younger crowd and with masks and such it was under control. Death rate hardly ticked up. Now, all of a sudden all the restrictions are gone and the mask mandate may expire in a week. We're already spiking cases and our 7-day average has been the highest ever for a week, climbing each day. Deaths are just starting to show an uptick but given how it takes a month to really start the chain reaction the worst of it won't hit until after the election, almost like someone planned that...
The first vaccine should have an adequate complement of safety data around Thanksgiving and I would be surprised if the first shots weren't going into arms in early December.
