LANSING, Mich. (AP) – States are relaxing their coronavirus restrictions for restaurants and other businesses due to improved infection and hospitalization rates, but evolving gradually and cautiously, in part due to the more contagious variant taking place in the US
While the relaxation may cause the number of cases to rise, health experts say it can work if done in a measured manner and if the public remains vigilant about masks and social aloofness.
“When the frequency rises, sharpen it. When the frequency drops, you loosen up. It’s nearly impossible to get it just right, ”said Dr. Arnold Monto, a professor of public health at the University of Michigan. “There is no perfect way to do this.”
When Michigan’s coronavirus fell to the fifth lowest in the country in the past two weeks, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said bars and restaurants could welcome indoor shoppers for the first time in 2 1/2 months next week. But they will be subject to a 10pm curfew and limited to 25% capacity, or half of what was allowed when they relaxed their restrictions last time, in June.
The state has previously authorized the resumption of in-person classes in high schools and the partial reopening of movie theaters.
“We are in a stronger position because we have taken this break,” said Whitmer. “But we are also very aware that this variant is now here in Michigan. It is a real threat. “
The death toll from COVID-19 in the US has risen past 425,000, with an average of nearly 3,350 deaths per day at its all-time high.
But newly confirmed cases have dropped from an average of about 248,000 per day to about 166,000 in the past two weeks. And the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has dropped by tens of thousands to 109,000.
At the same time, health experts have warned that the more contagious and potentially deadly variant engulfing Britain is likely to become the dominant source of infection in the US in March. It has been reported in more than 20 states.
Other mutant versions are circulating in South Africa and Brazil. The Brazilian variant was first discovered in the US, in Minnesota.
In Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, it was possible to dine indoors on weekends for the first time since October. Major cultural attractions, including the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium, have reopened with limited crowds.
Steve Lombardo III, a restaurant group owner in the Chicago area, called it a “huge boost” to get customers inside. One of the most famous restaurants, Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, has used hospital-grade air filtration systems in hopes of keeping it afloat, he said.
‘Are we going to make money? Probably not, ”Lombardo said. “But we will not let money bleed like we have for the past three months.”
Washington, DC, also recently ended the month-long ban on eating indoors, but one in New York City remains in effect.
California’s Gavin Newsom lifted stay-at-home orders this week he imposed last month when hospitals were so overwhelmed with virus patients that they were about to ration life-saving care. Restaurants and places of worship will be able to operate outdoors, and many shops will be able to accommodate more customers indoors.
Jen Diaz, a 38-year-old tech writer from Santa Clarita, California who works remotely and has not left her home since a visit to the grocery store in March, said she was “shocked” to hear the governor’s announcement . She has rheumatoid arthritis and her treatments are suppressing her immune system, but she has yet to be vaccinated because she is under 65.
“I was really proud of California’s response in the beginning,” she said in the early months of the pandemic. ‘Suddenly we just open everything. Let’s go to the mall! ”
She added, “The government doesn’t seem to take this as seriously at the state level as it used to.”
In Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown announced that some indoor operations, such as gyms and movie theaters, may reopen with limited capacity on Friday. Indoor dining is still prohibited in the hardest hit countries.
Not all places take an equally cautious approach.
After North Dakota fell to the country’s second-lowest number of cases, the Doug Burgum Republican government this month not only relaxed the limits on the number of people who can gather in restaurants and bars, but last week also allowed a Statewide mask mandate expired.
“The fight is far from over, but we can certainly see the light from the end of the tunnel from here,” said Burgum.
Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, vice dean of public health and community involvement at Johns Hopkins University and the former head of Maryland’s health department, warned that such a move could involve major risks.
“I don’t think it’s unreasonable to start reopening, but if people think this is the green light to pretend the virus doesn’t exist, then we’re back to where we were,” Sharfstein said. ‘If you impose restrictions, the virus will go down. You can open up and see how it goes. But if the variants really catch on, it may not be that easy. “
Many restaurants say they can’t survive by only offering take-out in the winter, when the cold makes it difficult, if not impossible, to offer outdoor dining.
Rick Bayless, one of the most decorated chefs in the US, said he could save some time dining indoors at his Mexican restaurants in Chicago.
“With 25% indoors, we may be able to make it to spring when people want to go outside,” he said.
Bayless said the company survived an earlier shutdown only because his landlord allowed him to remain rent-free for three months. The uncertainty has taken its toll, he said.
“It has been a touch. When they allowed us to open on Saturday, we had staff here who were literally in tears, ”said Bayless.
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Babwin reported from Chicago. Associated Press writer Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report.