Several Midwest governors today announced a regional partnership to reopen the economy.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has joined Governor Tony Evers (WI), Governor Tim Walz (MN), Governor Mike DeWine (OH), Governor Eric Holcomb (IN) and Governor Andy Beshear (KY) in a new partnership to work in close coordination to reopen the economy in the Midwest region.
These states will examine at least these four factors when determining when best to reopen our economy: (1) Sustained control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations, (2) Enhanced ability to test and trace, (3) Sufficient health care capacity to handle resurgence, and (4) best practices for social distancing in the workplace.
The partnership resembles similar governor partnerships announced on the east and west coasts in recent days. The seven Midwest governors pledged to make decisions based on facts, science and recommendations from experts in health care, business, labor and education.
The announcement by the governors comes as President Trump unveiled his administration’s plans for a phased approach to reopening the economy. The new guidelines are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while keeping them in place in harder-hit locations.
