Coronavirus Reopenings and Lifted Restrictions - with the ensuing legal and PR shitshows

[Tour of Italy]

So within 30 minutes of each other I got these emails in my inbox:

Looks like the tide is breaking maybe. I’m on the East Coast in the US, so this may be regional. Use this thread for public statements like this, hopefully from larger and more important organizations than fucking Chili’s but hey, it’s gotta start somewhere.

May be a good place for the inevitable clash some of these businesses will be having with state and local governments.

 

[Icasaracht]

Applebees?! Gods be praised! We're reopening the gates to true individualism!

You Caucasoid Africans!

 

[Marco Fucko]

I wouldn't be surprised if they get smacked down by local or state government. That being said, the LVMPD is opening up to the public May 5, according to this tweet: https://twitter.com/LVMPD/status/1256293962014326785

 

[AutismGeorge999]

Applebees?! Gods be praised! We're reopening the gates to true individualism!

You Caucasoid Africans!

Trust in Carlson! Having cases spike up from these re-openings are a part of his 20 year plan!

 

[CeleryStalks]

Michigan, USA

Our legislature currently is claiming that our states of emergency and disaster are over, and that all orders associated therewith are void. Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) is claiming that these are all still in effect.

Act 302 of 1945, MCL section 10.31-.33 gave the governor an indefinite timeframe to enforce states of emergency.
Link, archive

Spoiler: Legalese, Emphasis Added

(1) During times of great public crisis, disaster, rioting, catastrophe, or similar public emergency within the state, or reasonable apprehension of immediate danger of a public emergency of that kind, when public safety is imperiled, either upon application of the mayor of a city, sheriff of a county, or the commissioner of the Michigan state police or upon his or her own volition, the governor may proclaim a state of emergency and designate the area involved. After making the proclamation or declaration, the governor may promulgate reasonable orders, rules, and regulations as he or she considers necessary to protect life and property or to bring the emergency situation within the affected area under control. Those orders, rules, and regulations may include, but are not limited to, providing for the control of traffic, including public and private transportation, within the area or any section of the area; designation of specific zones within the area in which occupancy and use of buildings and ingress and egress of persons and vehicles may be prohibited or regulated; control of places of amusement and assembly and of persons on public streets and thoroughfares; establishment of a curfew; control of the sale, transportation, and use of alcoholic beverages and liquors; and control of the storage, use, and transportation of explosives or inflammable materials or liquids deemed to be dangerous to public safety.
(2) The orders, rules, and regulations promulgated under subsection (1) are effective from the date and in the manner prescribed in the orders, rules, and regulations and shall be made public as provided in the orders, rules, and regulations. The orders, rules, and regulations may be amended, modified, or rescinded, in the manner in which they were promulgated, from time to time by the governor during the pendency of the emergency, but shall cease to be in effect upon declaration by the governor that the emergency no longer exists.
(3) Subsection (1) does not authorize the seizure, taking, or confiscation of lawfully possessed firearms, ammunition, or other weapons.

Then Act 390 of 1976, MCL 30.403 limited the initial proclamation of a state of emergency to 28 days, with more time requiring the approval of the legislature. It also added a new thing called a state of disaster, with the same conditions.
Link, archive

Spoiler: More legalese, emphasis added

(1) The governor is responsible for coping with dangers to this state or the people of this state presented by a disaster or emergency.
(2) The governor may issue executive orders, proclamations, and directives having the force and effect of law to implement this act. Except as provided in section 7(2), an executive order, proclamation, or directive may be amended or rescinded by the governor.
(3) The governor shall, by executive order or proclamation, declare a state of disaster if he or she finds a disaster has occurred or the threat of a disaster exists. The state of disaster shall continue until the governor finds that the threat or danger has passed, the disaster has been dealt with to the extent that disaster conditions no longer exist, or until the declared state of disaster has been in effect for 28 days. After 28 days, the governor shall issue an executive order or proclamation declaring the state of disaster terminated, unless a request by the governor for an extension of the state of disaster for a specific number of days is approved by resolution of both houses of the legislature. An executive order or proclamation issued pursuant to this subsection shall indicate the nature of the disaster, the area or areas threatened, the conditions causing the disaster, and the conditions permitting the termination of the state of disaster. An executive order or proclamation shall be disseminated promptly by means calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public and shall be promptly filed with the emergency management division of the department and the secretary of state, unless circumstances attendant upon the disaster prevent or impede its prompt filing.
(4) The governor shall, by executive order or proclamation, declare a state of emergency if he or she finds that an emergency has occurred or that the threat of an emergency exists. The state of emergency shall continue until the governor finds that the threat or danger has passed, the emergency has been dealt with to the extent that emergency conditions no longer exist, or until the declared state of emergency has been in effect for 28 days. After 28 days, the governor shall issue an executive order or proclamation declaring the state of emergency terminated, unless a request by the governor for an extension of the state of emergency for a specific number of days is approved by resolution of both houses of the legislature. An executive order or proclamation issued pursuant to this subsection shall indicate the nature of the emergency, the area or areas threatened, the conditions causing the emergency, and the conditions permitting the termination of the state of emergency. An executive order or proclamation shall be disseminated promptly by means calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public and shall be promptly filed with the emergency management division of the department and the secretary of state, unless circumstances attendant upon the emergency prevent or impede its prompt filing.

Our State legislature approved an initial extension of the states of emergency and disaster until April 30, and declined to extend them again past that date. Presumably, this would normally mean that the states of emergency and disaster would be declared terminated, and the executive orders associated therewith repealed. However, Governor Whitmer is contending that she still has the authority to keep the states of emergency and disaster and all her executive orders in effect indefinitely. She has issued three executive orders, with the combined effect of ending the old states of emergency and disaster and then promptly proclaiming new ones.

The first of the three orders terminates the existing state of emergency and disaster declarations, and the second asserts that Michigan remains under a state of emergency under the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945.
The final order declares a new state of emergency and disaster under the Emergency Management Act of 1976. The new orders would run through 11:59 p.m. May 28.

News article (archive)

I have seen a news article justifying Governor Whitmer's actions based on a clause in Act 390 of 1976, which also states that, (emphasis added)
This act shall not be construed to do any of the following:
(d) Limit, modify, or abridge the authority of the governor to proclaim a state of emergency pursuant to Act No. 302 of the Public Acts of 1945, being sections 10.31 to 10.33 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, or exercise any other powers vested in him or her under the state constitution of 1963, statutes, or common law of this state independent of, or in conjunction with, this act.
Link, archive.

And hence, presumably, the Governor may proclaim new states of emergency as long as required.
NOTE WELL, I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER GOVERNOR WHITMER HERSELF IS MAKING THIS ARGUMENT. IT IS JUST AN ARGUMENT I READ IN A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE.

The Michigan legislature has stated that they will be suing Governor Whitmer, but the lawsuit has not yet been filed.

 

[The Last Stand]

Governor Wolf is lifting some restrictions for 23 counties in Pennsylvania.

If you're in the red areas, stay at home orders are extended until May 25th. Still, this is a good step towards progress.

 

[Richard Harrow]

Oklahoma is wide open, except for bars (though you can get a drink at a restaurant that has a bar, wtf LOL). Just ate at one of my favorite local joints and there were only four people in a place that sits 50. Oh well.

 

[GHTD]

Indiana will open all counties except for Marion, Cass and Lake on Monday. Marion will open on the 18th and Cass and Lake on the 11th.

Marion County's is partly to blame on Indy mayor Joe Hogsett increasing the local stay at home until May 15th. Cass I think is because of a sudden uptick in cases in the past week due to a pork plant in the area having an outbreak of the virus.

 

[DDBCAE CBAADCBE]

I can't hear Applebee's without remembering that one guy from DP that kept talking about how he was fucking a mentally challenged girl and how he totally saw an orgy at an Applebees

 

[Harlay de Champvallon]

Still lockdown in Ireland. A new restaurant near me sells coffee through a door hatch. Nice coffee. Supposedly from Tuesday (Monday a Bank Holiday) we can all travel a few km, but we must keep to ourselves. Pile of shite.

 

[Anonymus Fluhre]

That's good, there wont be any spikes in cases until the winter when the humidity goes up and temps drop. Funny how places are reopening as gas prices go back up though. It's almost like it was planned.

 

[REGENDarySumanai]

Governor Wolf is lifting some restrictions for 23 counties in Pennsylvania.

View attachment 1265838

If you're in the red areas, stay at home orders are extended until May 25th. Still, this is a good step towards progress.

The entirety of Southern Pennsylvania has to stay at home. Fuck you.

 

[Agent Abe Caprine]

Ohio's reopened. Wal-Marts are packed right now.

NPR article about reopenings in the Midwest.
Archive

 

[LetterlandMafia]

UK gov has hinted at ending the lockdown, though they haven’t given any specific details other than publishing papers next week outlining how restrictions will be eased. Other than that McDonalds has said they’re going to open 15 stores next week (which ones TBA) for delivery only. Suspect we’re still a few weeks away from any major changes.

 

[RodgerDodger]

Georgia’s Shelter at Home orders ended today. Signs are Georgians are anxious to get back out. Had to stop at Tractor Supply today. It was packed with really old people getting stuff needed for their homes and farms. Most were wearing masks. Restaurants are open with limited seating. I can’t see that lasting much past May. The interesting test will come on Sunday. How many churches have the sense to continue avoiding large gatherings like that For a bit longer. The Dam of “essential businesses “ is quickly crumbling. I think any government enforcers seeking to put in place any restrictions will be hung from the nearest tree.

on the positive side of things the worst hit Georgia hospital down near Albany has returned to normal operation levels. Has no new CV patients and most hospitalized CV patients have been discharged. They only have a handful of CV cases remaining and have begun normal healthcare operations. At the beginning of the month every bed was CV. This was the cluster that was spread via three funerals.

 

[Mepsi Pax]

Three hilariously black funerals.

Word in the papers is that SC is going to prolong what lockdown measures they have on monday. Pretty gay. Phased reopening would be better. Maybe the governor will change his pants, and with a fresh pair on, change his mind.

 

[Friendly_AI]

Heard some time ago France was going to re-open businesses and lift restrictions on May, 12th. Not sure if still true.

 

[Pinot Pierrot]

New Jersey will be starting slow. Tomorrow parks and golf courses (of all things) will be reopening.

My dad is over the moon with golf bag in tow - the lockdown had him so bored, he actually began fixing shit in the backyard just to break the monotony.

 

[Cat Menagerie]

Oklahoma is wide open, except for bars (though you can get a drink at a restaurant that has a bar, wtf LOL). Just ate at one of my favorite local joints and there were only four people in a place that sits 50. Oh well.

They're only allowed to seat 25% right now, so a lot of places aren't going to bother reopening lobbies to lose money. Penn Square mall was technically open, but 100+ of the stores were closed. The OKC outlet mall, same deal. Things are allowed to be open to an extent, but it's really hard for stores not to lose money off severely reduced foot traffic, so they'll stay closed until it's less restricted. I think the next phase starts May 15th.

 

[I can't imagine]

Nevada's allowing retail stand-alone businesses to open as of today, but only for curbside pickup; not really sure how many will decide to go through with it, but it's at least something. Also, certain sports facilities (tennis courts, pickleball courts and golf courses) were able to open today. The Governor intends to re-evaluate and likely open more stuff like salons and restaurants in a limited capacity on the 15th.

Still no word on the casinos; he's currently passed the buck to the Gaming Commission to decide when that's going to happen. I'd suspect it'll probably go case-by-case, since rinky-dink "locals" casinos in Tonopah or Winnemucca don't exactly have the resources that the big MGM casinos in Vegas have, and therefore are less able to engage in any of the fancy safety plans those casinos have.