The state’s economy has fallen off the edge of a cliff. The only question is how far the fall will be. In a letter to Maine’s congressional delegation last week and in a call on Monday, Gov. Janet Mills made the case for additional federal aid for state and local governments, and she used some […]
As Maine begins to navigate how to loosen restrictions on activities in the shadow of COVID-19 and develop a plan for recovery, a new 10-state poll gives insights on voters’ priorities. Recognizing that partisan political leanings have begun to skew ideas even around public health, the poll focuses on the “unheard middle” by eliminating respondents […]
Even as time and days blur together during the COVID-19 pandemic, public opinion can still move quickly. Or maybe not. So far, there have been two large protests in Augusta concerning the gradual changes to physical distancing regulations implemented by Gov. Janet Mills to protect public health during the pandemic. If you spend anytime on […]
Gov. Janet Mills on Tuesday outlined a four-stage plan for Maine to gradually re-open businesses in the state. While her plan is to extend the current stay-at-home order through May 31, certain business and activities will be allowed to open beginning on May 1 if they follow safety protocols developed by the Maine Center for […]
Re-opening businesses while COVID-19 is still circulating is not as simple as turning on a switch or sending an email to employees asking them to show up for work. For much of the state, schools have already been closed for the remainder of the academic year. Many parents will have no option but to stay […]
President Donald Trump has made it clear – science or not – that he wants to quickly end the physical distancing requirements that are being used to slow the spread of COVID-19. And that he – alone – has the power to do it. Governors, including Maine Gov. Janet Mills among many others, are taking […]
There’s a certain clarity that develops in a crisis. Old rules – that seemed so important to protecting the public order, to good business practices, to the rules of commerce – all of a sudden get tossed out and we adapt to new ways of doing things for the times. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we […]
State governments around the country have reacted differently to the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat it poses to people and to the economy. Many states – Maine included – took quick and decisive action to help stop the spread of the disease and to help people upended by job loss and financial instability caused by […]
It’s time we retire the idea of “essential” and “non-essential” workers. If the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated anything, it’s that all the cogs in our economic machine are essential. Pull too many bits and pieces out, and the whole thing risks grinding to a halt. While we are hunkered down – working from home if […]
Earlier this week, the firm where I work presented a webinar in collaboration with the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. The two-hour presentation was intended to provide some practical advice for companies that are trying to deal with the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19. The webinar is free and you can watch it at: […]
