As of this past Monday, April 20th, South Carolina had reported 4,439 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 124 deaths. Health officials predict that South Carolina will reach at least 6,900 cases by May 9th. This is a clear sign that the previous orders enacted by Governor Henry McMaster, including those that closed public parks and nonessential businesses, should remain in place until our current health crisis has been mitigated.
However, also on this past Monday, Governor McMaster took the steps to do the complete opposite of what health officials have advised: he issued a new executive order that authorized outdoor recreational activity and the reopening of some nonessential businesses.
Governor McMaster’s order makes official that, as of this Friday, all state beaches are permitted to reopen to the general public, but the recommended health precaution of staying six feet apart from others is still advised. Additionally, to “facilitate economic recovery and revitalization,” some retail stores were granted permission to reopen as well, including furniture stores, clothing stores, jewelry shops, department stores, book stores, flea markets, and flower shops.
The Governor did impose some guidelines for the reopening, however. According to the order, stores will have a limited occupancy of 5 customers per 1,000 square feet, or 20 percent of the occupancy limits, following the rule for whichever is less.
Despite the false confidence demonstrated in the governor’s order, there is no evidence whatsoever that the spread of the virus has slowed or is under control at all. There is no recommendation from health officials to reopen businesses or permit access to public parks and beaches. Unfortunately, Governor McMaster, just like President Trump, is putting the economy before the lives of South Carolinians.
It is not just health officials that have shown disagreement with the governor’s latest order. Charleston County officials have issued a release in contrast with the governor’s and have stated that Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, and Edisto Beach will continue to restrict public beach access at the advice of local health officials.
Democratic Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg expressed her approval of the actions taken by Charleston officials on Twitter. “Thanks for making such a wise decision in light of so many unknowns about transmission, testing, and treatment of #COVID19,” she wrote on Monday. “The potential harm to the public far outweighs any benefits that may come with loosening beach restrictions.”