Cities endorse reopenings

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DAPHNE – Even before Gov, Kay Ivey modified the state “Safer At Home” order on May 8, Eastern Shore cities voted to support actions to reopen more businesses while still taking precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19.

On May 8, Ivey announced that some businesses that had been required to be closed, such as hair salons and gymnasiums, could reopen on May 11 if operators followed social distancing guidelines. Restaurants could resume offering inside dining, but tables must be at least six feet apart.

Earlier in the week, the city councils of Spanish Fort and Daphne voted to support those actions. Both councils voted May 4 to ask the governor to amend the “Safer At Home” order. The Fairhope City Council voted in April to also ask Ivey to allow more businesses to reopen.

Daphne City Council President Robin LeJeune said precautions need to be taken, but cities need more options for handing the situation at a local level.

“I think we all understand the position that the governor is in as far as covering the entire state,” LeJeune said. “I think what we’re looking for is maybe a little more leeway for some of the municipalities, mayor and the city council to make some determination because we’re not Birmingham. We’re not Mobile.”

Councilman Pat Rudicell said Daphne and other Eastern Shore cities have not been hit as hard as cities such as Mobile and Birmingham. He said he felt residents will continue to take precautions against the virus.

“Luckily here in the city of Daphne and surrounding areas, other than Mobile, we’ve had a really light effect from this virus,” Rudicell said. “I think everybody’s adhering to it and I believe because of the unknown I think a lot of the majority of the people will continue to social distancing and just common-sense measures.”

Councilman Ron Scott said residents should still practice social distancing and other precautions once businesses reopen.

“Still wear your mask when you’re out in public areas. Keep your hand sanitizer. Wash your hands. I mean, let’s be smart about this, but I do think that we can reopen, based on what the recommendations were, that we can reopen the state economy,” Scott said.

He said the economy, however, also needs support, including services for people with other health conditions.

“We’ve got, and it’s tragic, 1.2 million people or so in the United States, I guess we’re approaching 70,000 deaths,” Scott said. “It’s tragic, but at the same time, it’s tragic that we’ve got 30 million Americans unemployed and that brings its own health issues where people, a lot of them, when they get their health insurance through their employer are no longer insured. Who’s treating diabetes? Who’s treating hypertension? Heart issues? Mental illness?”

Spanish Fort Mayor Mike McMillan said city officials have not been able to do much to help local businesses under the state order.

“We all have had conversations with business owners in the city that are really hurting, and you feel for them, you want to do anything you can, but your hands are tied by the governor’s ruling,” McMillan said.

Councilman Bill Menas said most small business owners can operate their facilities safely given the opportunity.

“I don’t think personally that the governor has given our small business owners enough credit for being responsible and knowing how to social distance and knowing how to run their business under a situation like this,” Menas said.

Councilman J.R. Smith said earlier orders that allowed big-box stores to open, gave those businesses an advantage over small, local merchants.

“Realistically, I think we could open up every restaurant in Spanish Fort and we could fill every seat and there wouldn’t be as many people there as in Lowes on any given day,” Smith said. “I’m not saying that I don’t saying the pandemic still needs social distancing. I would think that maybe they could look at it and maybe if the restaurant has a 100-seat capacity, maybe limiting it to a 25-seat capacity, a 25-percent occupancy rate.”

Councilman Curt Smith said working with state government and asking for help is preferable to ignoring state orders.

“I much prefer handing this way than some of the other municipalities I’ve seen throughout the state where they say we’re not going to enforce this law,” he said. “I don’t think that’s perfect. I like the respectful approach of a request for changes.”