By Carla J. Sonntag
President and Founder, New Mexico Business Coalition
The Governor's early response to the coronavirus slowed the spread and saved lives. Two months later, however, we've learned much more about COVID-19, how to manage it, and the much lower than anticipated mortality rates. We now know that COVID-19 is something that can be effectively handled while allowing life to continue.
To better understand where New Mexicans stand on the handling of COVID-19, NMBC conducted an open survey of over 1,100 participants. The results:
95% feel the economy should have been opened no later than May 15;
93% feel it is important or very important for ALL small businesses to open immediately;
84% were dissatisfied with N.M. officials' response in handling the shutdown and lacking a reopening plan;
73% were dissatisfied with the unemployment response;
85% said 'The Governor's leadership and/or decisions do not support what is best for all New Mexicans.'
Why the dissatisfaction?
The Governor's orders, based on questionable science, have hurt minorities, the poor and business operations leading to a lack of faith in requirements and the inability to care for families:
1) Mandatory use of face coverings comes with conflicting data. New Mexicans overwhelmingly want to do the right thing in limiting the virus' spread, but state leaders indicating this is the new normal is unacceptable.
2) Widespread testing before the state is fully functional is ludicrous because we know that a test today does not guarantee you won't be infected tomorrow.
3) Required immunizations could take 18-24 months for widespread availability. If stay-at-home instructions, mask use, and/or limited school and business operations continue that long, N.M. will not be fully functional during this term of the Governor's administration.
We do not downplay the seriousness of the virus and offer our sincere condolences to anyone who has lost a loved one. Around the world, however, we see government leaders taking a different approach:
South Dakota Governor Noem never instituted closures or lock down requirements. Instead, after advising everyone of recommended safety measures, she trusted her people "to do the right thing." That state has among the nation's lowest COVID-19 involvement.
With a growing number of court challenges throughout the U.S. over coronavirus requirements, Wisconsin's Supreme Court denied its governor the right to extend the stay-at-home order.
Germany's journalist Patricia Riekel, said the lockdown was a mistake and that she favored the Swedish way of only providing safety recommendations. Riekel added, "We have become a people of compliers and snitches."
In N.M., there are a majority of counties with less than 50 COVID-19 cases and three or fewer deaths. There is no value in continuing strict orders because of isolated hot spots.
Hundreds of N.M. businesses have closed permanently, eliminating thousands of jobs and the opportunity for people to feed their children. That will increase significantly, if there isn't an immediate change of direction.
Businesses take pride in their plans to protect employees and customers. Many owners, however, are no longer willing to stay closed or significantly restricted because their lives and that of their employees are on the line.
Putting safety first, a few businesses opened prior to orders allowing it. It appears this trend will continue, not as a political statement or act of defiance, but in desperation to feed their families and provide jobs for others to do the same. These are the same people who often forego their own pay in order to assure their employees are paid. But as their debt increases, they are being forced to make difficult decisions.
New Mexicans are hardworking people who take pride in providing for their families while honoring and respecting others. To them, this is not an either or proposition. They are responsible adults who put safety first. That's why New Mexico Business Coalition believes the South Dakota model of trusting people to do the right thing, is the best approach for New Mexico. It should be implemented immediately.
For the full story and survey results, please visit our website at: nmbizcoalition.org
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The New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC) focuses on improving the business environment for companies and the quality of life for all New Mexicans. Its nonpartisan educational efforts focus on providing New Mexicans the facts about issues impacting business opportunities and job creation in our state. nmbizcoalition.org