During a press conference on Monday Governor Greg Abbott said that reopening the Texas economy will be a "slow process."
How slow?
We don't know that yet, but in a Gallop poll released Tuesday, 8 in 10 Americans said they're not quite ready to resume normal activities.
"I do not agree with that at all" said Chad Cole, a Woodway resident quarantined with his wife, daughter and two dogs.
Once the government lifts restrictions and businesses and schools start to reopen, those Americans who are hesitant said they want to wait to find out what happens with the spread of the virus.
To that, Cole says, "We always mitigate risk in whatever we do, whether we choose to get on an airplane or put our kids in a car and get on the interstate, risk is involved in being a part of a free society."
But how much risk is too much?
If schools and businesses open May 1, what about sporting events, churches, malls, hospitals, movie theaters and restaurants?
"I think we would get back into those activities with a different awareness" says another Woodway resident. "So, we would take it cautiously, but I don't think anybody wants to be quarantined or separated from other people any longer than we have to."
Originally, Governor Abbott ordered all Texans to remain at home until April 30. In Monday's press conference, he said, "This is not gonna be a rush-the-gates, everybody-is-able-to-suddenly-reopen-all-at-once"
When asked about reopening, this retired pharmaceutical sales rep said, "We can't set it, the virus has to set the date. My main fear right now is that we're going to reenter too quick and we may have a relapse because people are too anxious."
So if not now, when?
This Waco resident felt differently from others, telling 25 News, "I feel it's too soon to get back to a regular routine, so I would continue to social distance for a while, probably through the winter.
But since there are present day shelter-in-place orders, should there be orders when re-entering or re-opening our daily routines?
This dad of a young son said, "Being mindful of what your situation is, I don't see a problem with jumping right back into what your previous lifestyle was."
For this parent and those like her, now is definitely the time to reopen.
"We are ready. My children need to be back in school, even if it's only for one month," she said.
On Monday, Governor Abbott told reporters an announcement could be expected this week regarding school remaining closed for the rest of the school year. He previously ordered them closed until May 4.
Now, more waiting for everyone, as President Trump and his coronavirus task force figure out what's next. "All states want to open and they want to open as soon as possible, but, they want to open safely and so do I."
