AFTER THE OUTBREAK: Reopening Rochester - Lives vs. Livelihood

The debate at the center of it all... How does one ethically make the call to reopen?

Weather forecast is next.

The decision of when to reopen our local economy is not one to take lightly.

We've been breaking down the issues that factor into making that call all week in our series "after the outbreak?

Reopening rochester."

Tonight kimt new three's jessica bringe has our fifth and final installment..

As we consider the moral stakes of reopening.

On the scene taking a look around?

It's tough to watch rochester's local economy suffer..

Just as it's difficult to imagine those suffering from losing loved ones to the coronavirus.

And that brings us to the topic of "lives" against "livelihoods" it's been at the center of the debate as state officials consider when to reopen the economy.

But is it that simple?

Tonight i'm learning that there might not be a true choice to be made between the health of rochester's community..

And the health of our economy.

It's what we're all wondering when will the economy reopen?

There's no easy choices and there's no obvious right answer.

At the heart of the debate is the possibility of reopening too soon and putting lives at risk..

If you're putting other people other than yourself at risk there's a real question whether you have the right to do that or if it would be a morally responsible thing to do if it meant that someone else might die.

However?

Not opening soon enough could mean irreparable damage to rochester's economy.

It's absolutely the case that unemployment has skyrocketed and a lot of people are facing a lot of tough times and a lot of difficult financial decisions.

University of rochester minnesota philosophy lecturer jake wright says that concept is referred to as a "false choice"..

Instead he believes a healthy community is needed as much as a healthy economy.

There are other steps we could take that would allow us to maintain the economy while also saving lives.

That takes us to what we've been learning over this five week series..

The plan to open the economy slowly..

As suggested by mayor kim norton it will probably start with a trickle.

The city's goal is to slow the spread of covi?19 while working out the best health practices for rochester businesses.

That stores might limit the number of people that come in.

That restaurants might move their tables a little further apart.

Until doors are open again... the president of rochester's chamber of commerce tells kimt news three?

We can continue to find ways to fund small businesses during this crisis phase..

Really communiticatin g to our members the opportunities that the city is putting together to support local businesses and residents.

While the city works to support businesses?

Rochester's own mayo clinic..

And other health officials work to expand testing so our community can get back to work..

There are many, many ways of not being dependent and not being left behind that we can rely on our own resilience in the state of minnesota.

In the end wright says we can all work together..

From businesses..

To health officials..

City leaders and the community to create a road map leading to our new normal.

Rochester is a really unique city because so much of our economy is based on mayo clinic and the healthcare system anyway so i think that mayo is taking lead on developing tests is going to have a positive impact on our economy regardless.

But, what i hope this looks like ultimately is that we're able to be together in a socially responsible way.

While we're already seeing some restrictions loosen as we near the end of minnesota's shelter in place order..

But there's all five of our installments of "after the outbreak: reopening rochester"?

And everything you need to know about how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting you?

Can be found on our website... kimt do?com.

I'm joined now by kimt storm team 3 chief meteorologist