Governor Wolf and Mayor Kenney have designated certain businesses essential. I agree with most of their choices, like for grocery stores, laundromats, and pharmacies. I agreed when Governor Wolf deemed gun stores non-essential. But of course the NRA (the front for the gun manufacturers) had to put their considerable money muscle on it post-haste and get those stores back open! Why do people need guns right now? “To protect all the toilet paper they’re hoarding.” Boom! Wish I’d come up with that gem, but I didn’t it. I’ll credit it “anonymous” since it disparages people with violent tendencies. Not giving you guys a target.
Garden centers have been deemed non-essential, but big box stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot can continue to sell ample GMO bio-cide laden plants and materials with no constraints. Meanwhile, industry-leading small businesses like Primex have been forced to shut down. And in an industry where at least 50% of revenue comes in April, May, and June, I worry that the small businesses will not recover.
If garden centers are non-essential, allow no stores to sell garden products.
Garden centers sell food-bearing plants! Apparently, food is only essential if someone else grows it, picks it, ships it, and puts it on a shelf for you.
If our primary intention is to prevent greater spread of COVID-19 by preventing non-essential activities, we should be doing a much better job of defining said activities. And not cave to rich companies who have too much power and money already.