Coshocton cautiously optimistic about businesses reopening
Officials: Safety precautions and policies must be strictly followed
COSHOCTON – Local officials are responding positively to Gov. Mike DeWine's order to slowly reopen Ohio's economy while mandating strict safety precautions.
On Monday, DeWine announced the first wave of businesses to reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic. This included health care organizations, such as dentists and veterinarians on May 1; manufacturing, distribution, construction and general offices on May 4 and consumer retail and services on May 12. It's advised that businesses observe regulations such as staff and customers wearing masks, continued social distancing and doing daily health assessment of employees.
DeWine's order specifically mentioned dentists and veterinarians, but many other types of doctors, like optometrists, are targeting May 4 for reopening. Dr. Dave Erwin of Erwin Family Eyecare said they would resume operations on May 4 and staff was working on rescheduling patients who had exams cancelled in March and April.
During the closure, Erwin said he and a couple staff members were in office from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. four times a week for emergency situations. They were still doing eyeglass repairs and filling orders for eyeglasses and contacts for those with valid prescriptions. Those who needed new prescriptions were given contact lens samples to get them through.
He was also already planning on implementing new safety precautions that fall right in line with the governor's orders. This includes placing plexiglass shields at appropriate locations throughout the office, marking floors with tape to ensure safe distances, limited numbers of patients in the building at one time, doing disinfecting of surfaces and having employees wear masks and gloves.
"Many of our patients are very anxious to get their eyes examined," Erwin said. "Most patients were very understanding when we had to reschedule their appointments for a later date."
Steve Lonsinger, Coshocton County Health commissioner, said the city and county health departments, Coshocton Port Authority, Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce, Coshocton County Emergency Management Agency and city administration have met to coordinate plans to ensure a smooth transition and provide relevant information for local businesses as they reopen.
"The health departments will continue to work closely with business owners to inform them and to assist them to comply with the new state public health safety policies that will be conditions for their resumption of business," Lonsinger said.
Rob McMasters, director of the Coshocton County Emergency Management Agency, said there was only one local manufacturer he was aware of that had ceased operations. Annin Flagmakers previously confirmed it had ceased operations on March 24 and an automated phone message at the local plant states they are looking to reopen on May 4. Annin had previously reopened briefly on April 13, but closed again on the morning of April 15 after complaints from residents and employees led to the city health department to rescind its previous permission to reopen.
"We look forward to reopening in the near future to get back to our essential mission of making the symbol of our great nation," Annin corporate said in a statement.
McMasters said it's important for businesses as they reopen to adhere to restrictions regarding social distancing and sanitation. The important elements are wearing masks and keeping a 6 foot distance from others or using some sort of barrier. For example, many grocery stores have clear shields up at check-out stations between customers and cashiers.
"I've looked at the (protocols) and I stand by these. No mask, no work, no service, no exceptions," McMasters said. "It's going to be up to each employer to police. Obviously, the health departments don't have enough people to police every business all day long on whether all the employees and customers and clients are wearing masks."
Coshocton Regional Medical Center said they are reaching back out to patients whose same-day outpatient procedures were postponed for rescheduling. The hospital is finalizing a plan to restart such services while continuing to follow all national, state and local orders.
"Patients can feel assured that we are taking every precaution possible to maintain the health and safety of our patients, healthcare staff and this community," spokesperson Kaylee Andrews said in a statement.
Mayor Mark Mills is cautiously optimistic. He said people should be excited about businesses starting back up locally and across the state, but everyone needs to heed the guidance of medical professionals on how to continue to slow the spread of the virus. He urged all businesses reopening to follow the safety mandates put forth by the governor.
"Just because this pandemic hasn't touched you or your neighbor, it doesn't mean it will not in the future. We must as a community be vigilant on following the guidance from the governor, ODH and the CDC," Mills said. "The impacts of COVID-19 on an economic level have been devastating to business, but we must also remember that without healthy people, we will never return to a healthy economy."
Tiffany Swigert, director of the Coshocton Port Authority, had some of the same sentiments. She knows how desperately many local companies want to reopen, but it has to be done in the right way with the right precautions to prevent a surge in the virus and a possible second full shutdown.
Swigert said the port authority had been collecting applications for a second round of emergency relief funding. The agency has $49,500 to support businesses who might be having issues regarding mortgage, rent and/or utilities. A first round of $26,000 in funding went to 18 businesses to help cover April expenses.
"We have seen and heard the devastation from many of our local business owners and we know that they are hurting. We also understand and respect the guidance coming from the governor's office regarding the need to reopen in stages and correctly," Swigert said. "I do consider this a vital action so that we avoid a future closure due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The question is, could our businesses survive another closure?"