Governor Wolf sets much of the policy for the commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 Crisis. However, we live in a representative democracy and we, in the legislative branch, have an important role in framing our response to the pandemic and our recovery from it. At times that means agreeing with the Governor and sometimes that means questioning his policies.

Several weeks ago, Dr. Jahre of St. Luke’s and Dr. Rhodes of Lehigh Valley Hospital, infectious disease specialists treating patients with COVID-19, shared the opinion that more businesses could open, provided people follow appropriate social distancing, mask wearing and other CDC guidelines. Some of these businesses, like barbershops, restaurants and gyms, will be the last to re-open under the governor’s plan. Today we have fewer positive cases, we have less hospitalizations and more testing, yet we continue to tell some businesses to wait.

Too many businesses are locked out from opening in the restricted phases of the governor’s plan. It is incumbent upon us as policy makers to remain adaptive and flexible on how we move forward based on what experts learn about the virus. If three weeks ago leading local experts thought businesses like hairdressers and salons could be open and the community is safer now, it suggests we need to reevaluate when and what businesses can open.

Right now, even in the most restricted phase, you can get botox injections or dental work but you can’t get a haircut or your nails done. You can stand in the long lines at big box stores, but you can’t visit a small retail shop. Starting Friday, you can swim in a public pool but only eat outside at a restaurant. You can visit a beach at one of our state parks but not enjoy an outdoor concert at the Levitt Pavilion. When I hear about some of the businesses that are open and those that are not, I realize we can do better. Our small retailers, our gyms and even public venues like Steelstacks can be opened in limited ways in order to help them stay in business and avoid bankruptcies and foreclosures.

Waiting too long to open these businesses might make the hill for them to climb insurmountable. Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association is reporting that 30 percent of restaurants will not re-open. Some articles report that Pennsylvanians are flocking to other states to get haircuts and liquor. You don’t think they will do the same thing to go shopping or visit a restaurant? Many of the businesses that are closed are the backbones of the cities and towns where they operate. They generate considerable taxes for the commonwealth through sales tax, income tax, casino fees, liquor taxes and other business taxes. How will we pay for all these closures and unemployment claims? Like my dad said, “there is not a money tree out there, Lisa.”

We need to tap into business owners’ entrepreneurial instincts to create workable plans for them to operate in our new normal. Most business owners already developed COVID-19 mitigation plans because they don’t want to get sick, they don’t want their employees to get sick, and they don’t want their customers to get sick.

Experts believe more businesses can be open in the Lehigh Valley today. I trust them. I know that if given the opportunity businesses in the Lehigh Valley will do what they always do, they will adapt and succeed! Together we can start our economic recovery and stay ahead of COVID-19.

Senator Lisa Boscola