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ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL ALL FORMULA. BUSINESSES ARE CHAMPING AT THE BIT. THEY HAVE CIRCLED MAY 1 ON THEIR CALENDARS. THOSE WHO ADVISE THEM GET USED TO THE NEW. >> I HAVE THIS MASS, YOU HAVE YOUR GLOVES. WE ARE GOING TO SEE THINGS LIKE THIS GOING FORWARD FOR NOT AN INSIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME. JOHN: RESTAURANTS, RETAILERS, SHOPS BIG AND SMALL ARE BEING TOLD NOT WAIT STATE PACIFIC GUIDELINES. DRAW UP A PLAN ABOUT DISTANCING AND SANITIZING. >> THE GOVERNMENT LIKES DOCUMENTATION. START THINKING ABOUT DEVELOPING A POLICY. PEOPLE HAVE TO BE HEALTHY WHEN THEY COME INTO WORK. JOHN: PREPLANNING IS DESIGNED WITH INSURANCE IN MIND TO REINFORCE CONFIDENCE AND SAFETY. THE LAST THING A BUSINESS ONCE HE IS TO HAVE -- WANTS OR NEEDS IS TO HAVE THEIR STAFF QUARANTINED. >> THOSE ARE THE THINGS BUSINESSES SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT NOW, SO THEY ARE PREPARED WITH A RESTRICTION BEGIN TO RELAX. JOHN: THE STATE OF OHIO LAUNCHED A WEB PAGE WHERE SMALL BUSINESSES CAN OFFER IDEAS AND FEEDBACK DIRECTLY TO THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY TASK FORCE. WE ARE TOLD THAT WE OPENING DATA-DRIVEN AND THEY WILL BE OPEN TO ANY GOOD IDE

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Like racehorses at the starting gate, Ohio businesses are champing at the bit to reopen.They've circled May 1st on their collective calendars.That's the date Governor Mike DeWine has mentioned for the start of a gradual, multi-phased reopening.Those who advise businesses parrot NBA owner Mark Cuban who recently stated "Get used to the new abnormal."Chip Gerhardt of Government Strategies wore his mask Monday for an outdoors interview about preparations ahead of the May date."I think we're going to see things like this going forward for not an insignificant amount of time," Gerhardt said. "I think you'll see waiters and waitresses with gloves and masks on as they serve us in restaurants that are less full than they were before."Restaurants, retailers and shops both big and small are being told to not wait for the state's specific guidelines.They're encouraged to draw up a plan now about distancing, sanitizing and staffing in ways that will require even more adjustment than what's already occurred."Government likes documentation," noted Doug Moorman, another Government Strategies adviser."So, I'd recommend that businesses start thinking about developing a policy. People have to be healthy to come to work. You have to either take your temperature when you come in the door or take your temperature before you leave home in the morning."Pre-planning is designed with reassurance in mind, to reinforce confidence about safety.The last thing a business wants or needs is to have its whole staff quarantined."If you have a business where everybody reports at eight o'clock, do you stagger that in order to spread people out? Those are the things that businesses should be thinking about now so they're prepared to come forward when the restrictions begin to be relaxed," Moorman said.He speaks about it at a time when every door knob, handle, shelf and grocery counter is suspect.So, it's natural that consumers might have a tendency to search for uniformity.But inside Kroger, for example, some cashiers and shelf stockers wear masks while others don't."They're available to 'em", said Bryon O'Neal, Secretary-Treasurer of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 75. "If they want to use 'em, they can use 'em. Some employers have required them to use 'em. So, it's a little bit of a mixed bag now. I think that'll settle down here soon."As shoppers adjust to one-way aisles and new store capacity limits, anxiety grows.The union has distributed 25,000 hand-sized hand sanitizers for personal and on-the-job use.They are just now replenishing the supply from a small business called Toledo Spirits, a distillery that has stepped up its pandemic profile."And we have behind us 500 gallons to refill," mentioned Kevin Garvey, president of the Local. "So that'll be out in distribution between Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo membership. We have 25,000 masks will be coming in today as well for distribution to try to keep our members safe and sanitized."Kroger emphasizes it has partnered with the union to try to get workers designated as first responders.DeWine considers food workers essential personnel, but they are yet to get the same benefits first responders do."Things like child care so our workers can take care of their kids and continue to work," said Bill Benner, in charge of legislative affairs for the union.Kroger said such a designation would help secure priority access to masks and gloves, right after health care workers.O'Neal hastened to add "Anybody whose shopping in the grocery store, I hope they say thank-you. Because these folks are risking everything."