Mother’s Day Is a Good Time to Begin to Re-Open [OPINION]

Good news for those who are hoping to honor Mom with flowers on Mother's Day: State House News Service reports Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is considering relaxing the current COVID-19 lockdown rules to "allow employees to work in closed stores and fulfillment centers to take phone orders and prepare deliveries" in time for Mother's Day.

Florists and other closed retail establishments have been pressuring Baker to bend the rules to allow them to deliver the goods to moms all over the Commonwealth. Baker told reporters during his daily coronavirus briefing on Thursday, "We'll have more to say about that one ... in plenty of time for Mother's Day." Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10.

My colleague Phil Paleologos recently opined that it's not good enough to allow just the large companies to make deliveries but that local florists, considered non-essential, should also be given the green light to deliver for Mom to remain competitive. He is right.

It is time to begin the process of responsibly re-opening our state economy and what better way to do it than with a tribute to our moms? Baker should follow up with an order re-opening our beautiful state beaches and parks in time for Mother's Day.

The governor's strict lockdown is expected to remain in place until at least May 18. At that point, Baker could suspend, extend, or announce a phasing-out of the restrictions.

May is Mental Health Month. There is evidence that the coronavirus lockdown is impacting the mental health of more than a few Americans. It's a good time to begin rolling back the restrictions that have added to everyone's stress level.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.