The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has surpassed 1.7 million and the death count has reached the grim milestone of 100,000. The disease is not going anywhere anytime soon and there remain fears of a large second wave in the fall. In many states, case counts are still rising today, although in some of the early worst-hit hot spots, like New York City, the situation has massively improved.
Despite this mixed picture, tolerance for shutdown measures in the U.S. is waning. People want some return to normalcy. Many states are easing "shelter in place" restrictions and allowing many types of businesses to re-open to varying degrees. Some states are throwinig the doors wide open, while others are proceeding with phased plans. The pace of reopening also varies within states. For example, parts of upstate New York have begun to reopen, while New York City itself remains under heavy restrictions.
Data from a Quinnipiac University poll last week showed varying levels of support nationally for returning to diffrerent activities.
In all, "three-quarters of voters (75 percent) say the country should reopen slowly, even if it makes the economy worse, while 21 percent say the country should reopen quickly, even if it makes the spread of the coronavirus worse," according to Quinnipiac.
Asked what they think is safe to do right now, repondents answered:
- 74 percent think it's unsafe to get on an airplane, while 23 percent say it's safe;
- 62 percent think it's unsafe to go to a restaurant, while 37 percent say it's safe;
- 50 percent think it's unsafe to go to a barbershop or hair salon, while 48 percent say it's safe;
- 49 percent think it's unsafe to go to a clothing store, while 49 percent say it's safe.
Meanwhile, a majority (55 percent) think it's safe to go to a workplace outside their home, while 39 percent say it's unsafe.
For their part, commercial real estate owners and managers have begun to adopt a number of tools and technologies to allow for a safe reopening. The following gallery provides a look at some of those tactics.
