7 Myths About Reopening You Need to Stop Believing

Myths about the coronavirus have been circulating since it first emerged. And as states start to reopen and lockdown orders begin to lift, more myths and misconceptions are coming to light. Are things just going to go back to exactly how they were before quarantine? Will everything reopen at once? Can businesses or states be forced to reopen? This is the truth behind the reopening myths you need to stop believing. And for more things you should expect as places reopen.

1. Everything will go back to normal immediately.

According to an April Azurite Consulting survey, while some industries may rebound pretty quickly, it is not expected that business conditions will return to the same level they were at in Dec. 2019 any time soon. In fact, there are some things many Americans say they won't do, even as reopening starts, until there is a coronavirus vaccine. In the survey, 41 percent said they won't go to a theater, opera, or concert until there is a vaccine; 28 percent of frequent gym-goers said they would wait for a vaccine; and 24 percent of Americans said they won't return to a sit-down restaurant before a vaccine is available. And for more changes to prepare for, check out these 7 Things You Won't See at Retail Stores Ever Again After Coronavirus.

2. Prices will be the same as they were before.

If restaurants open up in your state, your dining experience won't be the only thing that might change. That is, don't expect the prices at your favorite restaurant to be the same. Delish reported that while this will vary by restaurant, many establishments are adding a temporary fee (around 5 perfect) to help offset rising food prices and limited seating capacity. Others are simply "adding" the tax into increased menu prices. And as long as it's disclosed to customers before.

3. Everything will reopen at the same time in your area.

Just because your state has reopened some businesses doesn't mean they're all open. Most states are reopening in phases, or just reopening partially. However, many people expect that if they can go to one business in their area, they can go to them all. According to The New York Times, Idaho's stay-at-home order started lifting May 1, but nightclubs and movie theaters remained closed. And Massachusetts reportedly opened houses of worship and golf courses on May 18, but won't allow hair salons or beaches to open until May 25. And for places to avoid when things reopen, learn which 7 Places You Shouldn't Visit Even If They're Open.

4. The federal government can force states to reopen.

It's confusing to know exactly who is in charge of lifting lockdowns. Can the federal government just come out and say that everyone has to reopen? As David Swindell, an associate professor of public affairs at Arizona State University, wrote for The Conversation, that can't happen. State and local governments are responsible for regulating the businesses within their borders, and the federal government can't order them to reopen their businesses, he says. However, the federal government can decide to give more federal money which goes to a variety of programs, like criminal justice, education, and highways to those that follow federal requests, and potentially cut funding for states that don't, so they do have a significant influence.

5. Businesses can defy ongoing shutdown orders.

Businesses also can't just decide to reopen for themselves. If their state governments still have shutdown orders, they have to follow suit. According to Snopes, there was a rumor that citizens and businesses could defy shutdown orders and win damages in court if they were arrested for defying, on the premise that the Constitution supersedes lockdown orders. However, on May 6, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Pennsylvania's shutdown order, refusing to lift the order for businesses (which included a golf course, laundromat, timber company, real-estate agent, and political committee) that claimed their constitutional rights were being violated by the shutdown order. And for more intel on life after lockdown, check out these 10 Weird Ways Life Will Be Different After the Coronavirus Lockdown.

6. Public hand dryers can kill the coronavirus.

As businesses reopen, the rumor that the automatic hand dryers in public restrooms will kill the coronavirus has surfaced. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls this a myth. According to the organization, hand dryers do not kill the coronavirus, and people should still be frequently washing their hands with soap and water.

7. Wearing a face mask will prevent you from catching the coronavirus.

While many reopened businesses are recommending or requiring that people wear face masks to enter, the face mask isn't preventing you from catching the coronavirus. Instead, it's keeping everyone safe from you. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cloth face coverings prevent the person wearing them from spreading droplets when they talk, sneeze, or cough. And even if you don't think you have the virus, you could be asymptomatic (not showing symptoms) and spread it without realizing. When people in a business wear face masks, they're helping protect everyone else in the building. And for more tips on staying safe, make sure to avoid these 9 Mistakes You Shouldn't Make During Reopening.