Governor Kim Reynolds has lifted restrictions on retail businesses and restaurants--but many in Decorah are keeping their current way of operating

Starting Friday, retail stores and restaurants will be able to reopen, under rules announced Monday by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.  Reynolds has pointed to "metrics" which show the majority of coronavirus cases in Iowa come from 22 counties, so she relaxed restrictions in Iowa's other 77 counties, including Winneshiek County.

However, many of these counties have not demonstrated "a downward trend for 14 days," as Reynolds stated.  In Winneshiek County, coronavirus cases have gone from five cases as of April 13th to 15 cases as of Monday--a tripling of cases in two weeks.

Each business in Decorah has had to decide what to do and what is the right balance between wanting to do business and wanting to be safe--and it's been a difficult decision for every business--no matter what eventual choice they make.

Based on the Facebook posts of local businesses, at least 20 of them have decided to keep their present system of carryouts or curbside deliveries or being open by appointment only.  Some have been closed and will remain closed--even though they could reopen.

Here's what one business posted: "Winneshiek County's cases are still increasing and have doubled in less than a week. Our neighboring counties are also experiencing increased Covid-19 cases. (Based on) the advice of our medical professionals and scientists, and we will not be opening until we are sure it is relatively safe to do so."

A few businesses have come to the opposite conclusion--and fellow merchants say they support the right of each individual business owner to do what she or he feels is best for their business.

But don't expect May 1st in Decorah to be a return to "normal"--it probably will look more like "the new normal" instead.