How we should reopen the US when coronavirus slows down

It’s time to plan for a grand reopening of the American economy, and we need to execute it in a safe, methodical and robust way.

The country must come back strong in honor of the many lives lost to this horrendous virus and the many who have suffered through it — and as a testament to the medical heroes to whom we are now and forever grateful.

As the numbers improve due to strict social distancing, the rollout needs to be done with an air of caution, because without safety, there will be no success.

The plan should initially focus on areas of the country that have been lightly affected, and then move on to the states and cities where the pandemic is under control — and where enough of a turn in the curve has taken place that commerce can be safely conducted.

It’s my feeling that all stores, restaurants and companies in the least-affected regions should be permitted to open soon, perhaps by May 1.

But in many areas, at least for a while, symptom testing by security and paramedics should be conducted before employees and patrons enter the workplace or commercial businesses.

Reopening should lag in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit and other major cities, perhaps by just a few weeks to a month — or slightly more for any new hotspots.

For NYC, June 1 seems realistic, based on the current curve data, but it could possibly be sooner.

With the Fed, Treasury, Congress and the White House pulling out all the stops, we are ready to enter the transition stage. Yes, more still needs to be done to help the big banks distribute the cash, and the regulatory structure needs to be relaxed so that the loans can be delivered to millions of needy small businesses.

But get ready, world, America is on the mend. The greatest country on earth will soon be open for business once more.