‘There’s no debate,’ masks vital to keeping Macon businesses afloat, official says
Editor’s note: This story is part of a project from Mercer University’s Center for Collaborative Journalism and its partners, The Macon Telegraph, Georgia Public Broadcasting and 13WMAZ titled “The Cost of COVID.” This series takes a close look at the impact COVID-19 has had on the lives of Middle Georgians.
In the months since downtown Macon fell almost silent for days as the coronavirus pandemic set in, businesses — especially those dependent on walk-in traffic — have struggled to regain their footing. A few have failed.
Now as uncertainty lingers and a potential fall-and-winter uptick in COVID-19 infections looms, boosters of establishments in the heart of the city have launched the “Macon It Safe” campaign to slow the spread of the virus.
They are enlisting business owners to pledge to having safe and healthy workplaces by following CDC and other guidelines that may, in turn, inspire consumer confidence.
How to make it work
Josh Rogers, president and CEO of NewTown Macon, which works to transform, enhance and bolster business in downtown, said the hope is to spread the word of a united effort.
“That there is no difference of opinion at all among the community’s economic-development leaders about what we need to do to support local businesses, and that is wash your hands, wear a mask and keep social distance,” Rogers said.
“The Chamber has heard it from all of its members, and we’ve heard it from all of our downtown business owners. I mean, there is just not a difference of opinion among the entrepreneurs who need the economy to work. ... There are a lot of people who are depending on their livelihoods and there are a lot of businesses that we don’t want to lose.”
Opting-out
A half-dozen or so businesses in downtown, mostly bars and nightclubs, have opted out of enforcing the county’s mask-order. In doing so, they have posted signs declaring as much on their doors and windows. Owner and operators of these businesses were either unavailable or declined to comment for this story.
Rogers said it doesn’t make sense that some businesses aren’t complying with the mandate.
“I don’t really understand how we’re having a debate at all,” he said, adding that it seems “for some people, wearing a mask strikes so closely to their sense of identity as a person that they’re not willing to do it. I can’t wrap my mind around it.”
Rogers said that when it comes to wearing masks, there is no debate in the medical community and “there’s no debate among the community of economic developers.”
Hanging on
As someone who keeps an eye on the pulse of downtown’s economy, he said the full impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on businesses here remains to be seen.
“Business is not anywhere near the volume it was previously,” Rogers said. “It’s really hard. Anything I could tell you would be anecdotal. ... It won’t be for months from now till we start to get sales tax receipts when we can better track what actual sales volume was.”
Even so, he said, there are few businesses he knows of that are currently matching sales volumes from this time last year.
“Absolutely business is down,” Rogers said. “But at the same time, I think almost all of our businesses have found a sustainable position. ... My biggest fear is we don’t know what’s coming next in fall and winter, and if we don’t avail ourselves of the only tools that the experts are telling us work, it’s possible we could end up endangering” the current delicate balance.
There have, he said, been only “a couple of” permanent business closings downtown.
“Which is a miracle,” Rogers said, “and that’s what I’m interested in sustaining.”
He said if they can hang on now, the businesses will make it “until we get back to normal.”
“Even if you’re not in favor of wearing a mask,” Rogers said, “it’s a generous courtesy to the employees and staff of our businesses. ... They’re coming in contact with hundreds of people every day.”
This story was originally published September 21, 2020 at 5:00 AM.