MMAC’s plan for a Smart Restart to our economy, and preparing your company to compete in the next normal

by MMAC President Tim Sheehy

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, MMAC has served its members by learning the facts, assessing their impact, and leading in your best interests.This discipline will apply to supporting you through the economic stages of recovery and into the next normal.
 
As part of those efforts, we are sending you a fact-based “Smart Restart” plan to move our economy forward. The MMAC’s Board of Directors approved this draft today, and we want your feedback. We are sharing this with our elected officials. View the full plan >>
 
Punchline: Key health and safety indicators provided by the Medical College of Wisconsin are showing noticeable improvements. The daily growth rate (the rate at which the number of cases change, day over day) has come down over 3 weeks from 35% to under 8%. The doubling time (days it takes for the number of cases to double) has increased from 2.5 days to over 9 days. New cases are trending downward.

The original “Safer at Home” order demonstrated the benefits of social distancing. Employers that can do so are having people work from home. Tremendous care is being provided by the health care institutions and their front-line employees. This collective activity is showing vibrant signs that Wisconsin is flattening the curve -- ranking in the top 10 states for slowest growth of the virus. We continue to believe that this data shows that we need to be flexible in determining a Smart Restart of our economy, and that improving trends will allow us to reel in the May 26th extension of “Safer at Home.” In addition, we believe the challenging economic conditions are a growing factor in this consideration.
 
Our success in slowing the spread has come at a significant cost: high unemployment, stressed industries, and mounting business, personal and governmental debt. Reopening the region’s economy is a priority -- one that must be balanced against the threat of a virus resurgence. Given our success in flattening the curve, we should prepare for a phased-in restart. So, what happens next?
 
Smart Restart: The timing for a safe and smart restart of the region’s economy can be marked by signs of progress from 5 key indicators:

1. Cases - a sustained reduction in the number of new cases over a 14-day period beginning April 13.
2. Testing - availability for all people with COVID-19 symptoms.
3. Care - the ability for hospitals to treat all patients requiring hospitalization without resorting to crisis standards. (There is now data to track WI utilization)
4. PPE - adequate personal protective equipment for workers exposed to the public.
5. Tracking - the ability to count, trace and monitor COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in real time.
   
   

This dashboard will provide the basis for re-engaging the region’s economy, while helping ensure that we not take an unwanted pitstop. There will be flare-ups in the future. Being prepared to handle them is the best way to keep the economy running.
 
Our restart will also rely on employers prepared to keep their employees and customers safe as the economy runs without a widespread vaccine.
 
Lifting “Safer at Home” will require new vigilance by employers to help manage social distancing as it will remain a challenging aspect of the recovery phase. A phase dominated by the self-determination of employers as they engage their employees and their customers. Employee and consumer confidence are paramount to a sustained recovery.
 
MMAC is at work, with substantial input from our members and health care professionals, on a “Metro MKE Work Safe Company” toolkit. Businesses will need to take the lead in creating protocols for employees and customers. These include challenging issues such as:

• How can I screen my employees to help determine if they are ill?
• Can we re-space the manufacturing line effectively?
• Can a theater or restaurant reopen at one-third capacity, or half capacity?
• What indicator is used to approve travel or conference attendance?
  
  

A smart strategy led by employers will best ensure we keep the economy running, while defending against flare-ups. Helping members collaborate will ensure that the region’s dynamic and resilient economy stays prepared to address this inevitability -- not as another setback, but in a way that elevates the region as a place to live, work, play and learn.
 
Thank you, and I welcome your feedback.

Tim Sheehy
President
MMAC