Chamber President: Masks Key to Reigniting Economy, Reaching Phase 3 of Reopening

Governor Roy Cooper recently decided to extend Phase Two of the state’s reopening process by three weeks after a surge in new cases of COVID-19 — but that doesn’t mean the community should be afraid to leave their homes, as long as they take measure to protect public health.

In a recent interview with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck, Aaron Nelson — president of the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro — strongly encouraged citizens to start re-engaging in commerce as safely as possible.

Nelson said he feels remaining in Phase Two was the right decision, despite its effect on businesses still closed, and the top priority needs to be stopping the spread of the virus. Wearing masks or face coverings — which Governor Cooper has made mandatory — is essential, as places like restaurants and hotels have started to allow people inside again.

The beginning of the pandemic saw many of these businesses transition to takeout service and touchless payments, but now the focus has shifted almost entirely to safety. If the community keeps these health measures in mind, said Nelson, it can do its part to help transition into Phase Three.

“The evidence which we did not have 10 weeks ago — which we now have — is that face coverings worn by both people engaging in a one-on-one interaction, and keeping your physical distance of six feet, will keep us safe,” Nelson said.

Nelson said the Chamber is working directly with businesses on ways they can provide those optimum safety precautions, as what once felt like a short-term annoyance is slowly becoming the new reality.

“To the business community, at the very beginning what we talked about was prepare,” Nelson said. “So many weeks ago. And then it was endure. Could you make it through? Did you have enough federal support? Did you have enough borrowing? Did you have enough saved up to make it until this lifted? As it turns out, instead of endure, what we’re going to have to do is adapt. Because this isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future.”

For those who remain concerned about leaving their homes, Nelson said it is time to venture out. In addition to the data on masks, he cited slow growth of infection rates within the community as well as declining mortality rates.

He said how the community responds to these local and state mandates, though, will go a long way toward easing those concerns and eventually moving into the next reopening phase.

“I’d encourage everyone to remain optimistic,” Nelson said. “These are tough times. They are going to be politically uncertain. They are uncertain as our students return, and what that will mean for our rate of infection. We are uncertain in how our economy is.

“But we have made it through complicated things and difficult things before,” he added. “We’re going to have to do this together. Hanging together while staying apart. And now venturing outside of our homes and engaging in commerce.”

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Chamber President: Masks Key to Reigniting Economy, Reaching Phase 3 of Reopening

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