It’s May the 4th. Star Wars nerds everywhere are rejoicing, but in my state of Missouri, people are also slowly resuming life. Our stay-at-home order was not very strict in the first place. Our state was not hit hard. We have a lot of space and greenery and people here know when to keep to themselves.
I’m happy to celebrate that we are officially re-opened.
I was called back into the office 2 weeks ago (some of the equipment my company provides is essential and I love writing on it). I haven’t exploded. Bodies were not lying in the streets.
Getting out was what saved my mental, physical, and spiritual health throughout the entire pandemic.
Some media outlets mistakenly reported that Missouri state parks were closed. That is completely untrue. They have remained open and welcoming for hikers and fishers looking for a nice outing that already incorporates social distancing, and it did wonders for everyone in the community.
I didn’t know what to expect today. My boss made the decision to re-open our doors to the public. I wondered if traffic would be gridlocked, or if people in hazmat suits would show up.
Thankfully neither came to fruition. The roads are a bit more traveled but it’s been a slow progression over the past few weeks. We celebrated out first customer coming in with lots of, Hellos and congrats while keeping distance.
I’m hopeful.
Sometimes hope is all we have, but it quells fears and unwarranted anxiety. It gives us that light at the end of the tunnel. A huge weight has been lifted from me.
There ARE people out there who have been watching the mainstream news nonstop and fear ever leaving their house again. If this describes any of you, I want you to know that I feel for you. The world is a scary place at times. Especially right now.
No one should be forced to “go back to normal.” Just as no one should be forced to give up their rights and hide indefinitely.
There will be lots of reports. Lots of inaccuracies, and unfortunately I fear, lots more politicizing. It is an election year after all, but for the time being I trust my neighbors and my community.
No one wants to make mistakes in this situation. We all have to follow our instincts. Some of us don’t even know what to believe. Just because all businesses can reopen doesn’t mean they will and I support that.
Leaving it up to the individual and the business owners is smart in my area because we have had such a low number of cases and deaths. In bigger cities with much harsher conditions, the reaction is different, as it should be.
I’ve been digging through information and many restaurants and shops are waiting to see how things play out before they reopen. That’s awesome.
But for anyone in Missouri, specifically near the St. Charles/St. Peters area, here are the businesses that have taken the plunge and are welcoming the public back to their facilities:
Meramec Caverns
Goodwill
Mid Rivers Mall
Once Upon a Child (select locations and masks are required)
Rose’s Bookhouse
Two Chicks Vintage Marketplace (on Main Street in Historic St. Charles)
April’s on Main (in Historic St. Charles)
The St. Charles farmer’s Market reopens on May 23rd and six Flags of St. Louis is set to reopen mid-May.
St. Louis is remaining closed until further notice. They have re-opened most of their county parks and will assess the situation as Missouri resumes business.
To “journalists” for St. Louis papers, like the ones who write for the River Front Times, and called St. Charles “stupid” for reopening:
- St. Charles is a place, not a person. You cannot call a place stupid-well you can, but it shows your own ignorance.
- Our cases are significantly lower and do not warrant the mental, physical, and economic devastation that remaining closed causes.
- Speaking as an educated woman who left St. Louis to move just outside of it, I am grateful to live in an area where the government takes everything into account and does what is best for everyone based on our individual needs as well as the needs of the entire population. If that threatens you, maybe you should remain where you are and never go anywhere ever again.
Now that I’ve got that out there…
Kansas City re-opens Wednesday, the 6th. I wish them well and hope that herd immunity, good health practices, and common sense guides them as it guides us.
“We have nothing to fear but fear itself,” unfortunately fear has been quite a weapon throughout all of this mess. It has been manipulated and abused. Many people will never be the same. I don’t know how to help anyone who has developed agoraphobia or other mental issues during this pandemic. But most states are gradually moving toward re-opening and getting access to help is now easier in Missouri.
Here are some articles that list how and when each state will reopen.
(The Missouri information is correct but please point out any errors is there are any. Thank you for reading and be well.)
https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/us/states-reopen-coronavirus-trnd/
Jessica Marie Baumgartner 
Congratutations. ¡Viva Missouri!
Thanks! We’re ready 😉
Congrats love! We’re still running on a curfew, and most businesses are closed. Really looking forward to having them open up back again, but safety comes first. Enjoy and be safe xx
Absolutely. A little at a time 🙂
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