With the economy in free fall and the U.S. job market in limbo with "essential" and nonessential work, protests are erupting around the country calling for a lifting of restrictions to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). But at what cost?
In spite of the clear dangers and death rate presented by coronavirus infections, protesters last week staged a gridlock protest at Michigan's Capitol in Lansing, Michigan. Not to be outdone, an effort to "shutdown the shutdown" also kicked off in Maryland over the weekend.
In total, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Utah, Colorado and Washington have all seen protests in some form or fashion calling for an end to the respective state's shutdown.
According to guidelines clearly outlined by the White House, it is too early for a number of states to reopen, especially considering steadily rising infection rates. However, some states like Texas are pushing ahead with reopening plans. Meantime, Florida, one of the last states to implement shelter in place orders, is already back open.
According to a recent SNIPS reader survey, 67 percent of readers agree that it is time to open states up and get back to work while 33 percent said that they are waiting things out until the coronavirus pandemic passes.
On a nationwide scale, is 67 percent enough to get the economy back up and running? Even if all states lifted shelter in place restrictions today, our poll indicates that their will still be a portion of the population that prefers to stay inside now, and long after the pandemic, to play it safe.
What do you think? Are you ready to get back to work or are you staying put until you get the all clear?
