
KRISTEN INGRAM: RETAIL AT RISK
April 20. By Dave Yochum. How North Carolina reopens for business is the subject of debate, but local business leaders say one thing is certain:
“Businesses will pull together—even competitors—when the community is in crisis,” said Jim Engel, CEO of Aquesta Bank.
The Institute for Health Metrics & Evaluation says the nation as a whole is six days past the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. North Carolina, meanwhile, is four days past the peak, according to the IHME.
Here lies part of the conflict: Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris forecasts the peak in early June, with soaring demands on hospitals.

ENGEL
When do you reopen?
Positive tests in Mecklenburg are growing more slowly but business remains at a standstill.
Reopening without testing is problematic. We all want to get back to work, but not knowing who is carrying the virus and spreading it leaves employers up in the air. Businesses can be held liable for third-party bodily injury claims arising out of COVID-19, according to the National Law Review.
Meanwhile, the statewide doubling time has gone from 2.5 days to 10 days, according to NC Sen. Jeff Jackson. There are 6,764 positive cases statewide, with 13 labs running on the basis of strictly rationed testing, he said.
Mecklenburg remains the epicenter of COVID-19 in North Carolina. Our doubling time has gone from 2.85 days to 6 days, Jackson said.
The hot spot here could be due to general density, different levels of testing, or the presence of more specific hot spots like nursing homes, or some combination.
Balancing act
Striking a balance between potentially killing off local business and the health and the well-being of the community is a difficult position to be in for anyone in business or government.

BRYAN
“I’ve been surprised by the tensions exposed between state and local government orders across the nation and some of our Constitutional freedoms as a result of this pandemic,” said Callan Bryan, co-founder of Vandiver & Bryan, an elder law firm in Davidson.
NC Gov Roy Cooper joined a call with President Trump and governors from around the country last week.
While there’s bickering back and forth as to who can do what and when, Cooper says he is working toward a gradual re-opening, and precisely what reopening means.
Everyone is anxious to get back to work, and transmission of COVID-19 is a function of human contact.

GOV. ROY COOPER
“We will continue working with our federal and local partners to beat this virus, protect people’s health and recover our economy,” he said.
Cooper issued a stay at home order for 30 days ending April 29. Since the statewide order, thousands of businesses have closed, unknown is how many have closed permanently.
Retail: Long-term effect?
Real estate developer and broker Kristen Ingram said one of her major concerns is having material on site to complete construction jobs.
The long-time commercial broker said once things begin to open up there will be a good financial momentum for the rest of the year.
“Unfortunately, I feel those in the retail will be hit the hardest and will have a harder time recovering than other sectors,” she said.
We asked local business leaders what has surprised them about the pandemic:
“What has surprised me the most has been the support of the community, the community will save the community.”
—Wes Choplin, owner
Choplin’s Restaurant
“Building a strong team culture with your employees is essential to weathering uncertain times. As a business owner you can’t over communicate with your employees and clients during times like this.”
—Mike Russell, owner
MFR Cleaning Services
“I have learned that Lake Norman citizens and businesses are capable of rapidly adapting to new sets of constantly evolving rules ranging from personal interactions and safeguards to the deployment of new technology to collaborate and run small and large businesses.”
—Callan Bryan, attorney
Vandiver & Bryan
I’ve been overjoyed to see confirmation that we have a great community that takes care of each other in time of crisis by supporting individuals in need, local businesses, and our fellow neighbors.
—Richard M. Pappas, vice president
First National Bank