MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Spiking infections and hints from the governor about extending the bar closure in Mon County have many in the community concerned about the fall. Mon County now has 398 active COVID-19 cases and 198 were discovered between July 13 and July 19.
On Talkline president and CEO of the Morgantown Area Partnership, Russ Rogerson said businesses want to responsibly reopen and they will be watching for what the governor says, possibly as early as during the daily briefing tomorrow.
“As a businessman you want your business open, but more importantly we want people safe,” Rogerson said,”Not sure what his decision will be, we’ll support that whatever it may be, but we do need to focus on being responsible.”
As cases have continued to climb area residents have learned to follow the guidelines, take precautions and use good judgement when traveling or going out to a restaurant.
“We realize that this is a balance of health versus businesses and if we don’t take this seriously and follow the guidelines the medical experts have put out for us it’s going to prolong our ability to open our economy up,” Rogerson said.
Some business owners believe the return of students in the fall will drastically increase COVID cases in the community. On the other hand, Rogerson said after meeting with WVU officials and reviewing their plans for testing, disinfection, hygiene and quarantine contingencies he’s optimistic the virus can be controlled.
“We’ve been in discussions with West Virginia University and they are taking this very seriously,” Rogerson,”I think they’ve put together some excellent plans of how they’re going to bring the students back and I’m confident they are doing their best to get the testing done.”
One week ago Morgantown city council passed the mask ordinance with a penalty of up to $500 for non-compliance. According to Rogerson, following rules, social distancing, hand washing, masks and cough/sneeze etiquette will not only allow businesses to reopen but it will prevent further damage to the local small business economy.
“They have the financial to open and close,” Rogerson said,”I think the longer this prolongs the more damage you’ll see in the small business world.”
Rogerson said permanent and part-time resident have equal responsibility to help pull us out of the current spike in coronavirus cases.
“Residents, students and everybody has to take this serious enough and respectfully enough to understand we must play our part in a way that allows us all to have more freedoms,” Rogerson said,”In order to be able to go places and see people.”