As Goes Nantucket, So Goes…? [PHIL-OSOPHY]

Nantucket has gone 17 days without any new cases of COVID-19, a positive health sign that other towns and cities would love to have.

Does that mean Nantucket is ahead of the curve?

The news was so impelling that officials voted to rescind some COVID-19 restrictions, phasing in small crews of landscapers and construction workers to go back to work immediately. It was just a few weeks ago the select board issued a moratorium on all non-emergency construction and landscaping projects, deeming them non-essential.

What a difference three weeks make.

It's really good to see the new relaxed actions as the first steps towards starting up the local Nantucket economy, under some guidelines. One select board member said that if work had to be delayed until this fall, it would take a decade to recover. He's probably right.

The fact that Nantucket is looking to reopening their jobs is a positive sign, especially for restaurants and bars; that would be the next phase. Looking ahead, I see the slow process of reopening eateries inching forward in degrees. I just don't envision thousands of customers piling into establishments shoulder to shoulder or seated in close proximity to each other. Lots of people are unemployed or in debt. Some customers will be reluctant to go out at all, for a while, for financial and safety reasons. And I pity the poor guy who starts coughing or sneezing in one of these places. But at least they're making an all-out effort.

Knock them dead, Nantucket! Let me rephrase that: bring home the trophy. You have my support.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.