Arguing that if restaurants, public swimming pools and casinos can open, others that serve the public should be able to open up as well, the Small Business Association of Michigan has been joined by a trio of other major business organizations in a letter to the governor and Michigan’s Legislature.
Those organizations contend, “Gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys and other venues that show they can reopen safely must be given the opportunity to do it.” They issued their plea to the state’s leadership on Friday morning, but Governor Whitmer, in her Tuesday press conference said she “won’t be bullied” into reopening those businesses.
SBAM says, “If restaurants, public swimming pools and casinos can open, other businesses that serve the public indoors and have proven to be able to do it in other states without becoming a spreader for COVID-19 should be allowed to open.”
The letter from Brian Calley of the Small Business Association of Michigan; Rich Studley of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Rick Baker of the Grand Rapids Chamber and Sandy Baruah of the Detroit Regional Chamber, contends, “These businesses have been completely closed after months of the public health emergency, while still facing property tax bills, rent, payroll and other expenses.”
The letter issues a direct appeal, saying,, “We ask that you and your administration find ways to give businesses, especially those that remain closed, a fighting chance — and soon.” They also offer to meet with the governor and her team to work through concerns and discuss how the businesses can reopen safely based on science and research.
They also asked that businesses that closed for the past five months due to COVID-19 restrictions be given property tax relief and protections from “needless COVID-19 related lawsuits.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said earlier this week she is working with the Department of Health and Human Services to “drill down” on what she needs to see, case-wise, to allow businesses that are still closed to reopen. She said she would have more to share on that next week as the work is going on right now.
Upper Peninsula businessman Erik Kiilunen, whose advocacy group All Business is Essential has repeatedly attacked the governor for her positions, responded to Whitmer’s comment that she “won’t be bullied,” by saying, “Gretchen, your deflection skills amaze me. You’ve really outdone yourself this time. How on earth do you make sense that you’re being bullied? I’ve seen more sensitivity from a brick wall.” He adds, “You must have forgotten the tends of thousands of families who have lost businesses because of the bullying you and your attorney general have carried out.”
In related news, owners of a Lansing-area Planet Fitness took media on a tour of the steps they are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 if they’re allowed to open. Every other piece of cardio-equipment — treadmills, stationary bikes, EFX machines — are closed down.
A new type of peroxide-based cleaning spray is available for guests to wipe down machines, weights and other equipment after use. Staff will be required to do a 20-minute walk-through with a different cleaning solution to also disinfect the gym.
Workout stations also are taped off so social distancing remains a priority. Also, members would be able to check how busy the gym is on an app so they could hold off on a workout until the crowd thins out. Also, special masks are available for all guests.
The steps are all part of a 90-page plan Planet Fitness is proposing on how their members can exercise safely.
Justin Clark, the Manager of the Planet Fitness on West Saginaw in Delta Township, says, “We make it hard to do it wrong.”
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of Anytime Fitness in St. Joseph.
