[aigel]

Here in CA everyone non-essential is closed and they won't open until the shelter in place rules are lifted / changed.

Tesla is a good example. They kept working, you all read Musk's opinion on the CV, but authorities made them close shop. About 10k employees in the area many living further out in the sticks. I am sure that helped reduce spread significantly especially out from the bay counties into the surrounding areas.

But couldn't they come back with careful controls as we are discussing here? I bet you money every company out there is coming up with controls and plans on reopening right now while everyone is sitting home. And you bet the phone is ringing off the hook at the county and state level to come up with rules to safely operate even at reduced output / staffing.

As others have said, there could be health department rules and checks to certify and check safe operation. Once we are past the hump all we have to do is stay at R<1, test frequently and get off the throttle as soon as numbers start cropping back up again.

I would also expect that demand for products may be reduced as everyone wakes back up from this mess, so that will lend itself to a reduced throughput restart.

G