Oklahomans Have Mixed Feelings About Reopening State

The opening of the state is being met with mixed reviews. While some businesses say they’re ready to open things up others argue it may not be the right time.

For the past several weeks closed doors have taken their toll.

“A lot of people are not surviving this,” said Oklahoma City hair stylist Crystal Ponnuchamy.

“I’ve been impressed by how we’ve been resilient and as long as you stick together and figure things out on the fly, we are all tougher than we think we are,” said The Mule manager Sam Fredrickson.

Fredrickson manages The Mule in Oklahoma City.

He said even with takeout orders they’ve seen a third of their usual business.

“I don’t think any of us have any frame of reference for this. Nothing like this has happened in anyone’s lifetime even grandma and grandpa’s,” said Fredrickson.

He said knowing they’ll soon be open again brings hope and excitement to his staff and customers.

“I think it’s going to be euphoric. Once people come out there’s going to be a lot of great positive energy that’s been built up all this time,” said Fredrickson.

Oklahoma City hairstylist Crystal Ponnuchamy feels opening is premature.

“Just wearing masks, gloves… they just went from telling us not to wear those things, not to have them, to save them for the first responders to now we’re opening up on Friday?” she said.

Ponnuchamy said she feels for all who are struggling during this time.

“I’ve been a single mother before, I’ve been the only one putting food on the table. So, it’s a terrible thing to think about all the people suffering right now who cannot get assistance,” said Ponnuchamy.

She said The Iron Rose Salon where she works has no intention of opening anytime soon.

“We don’t have a lot of standards in place, we don’t even know what we should be required to do as far as extra sanitation goes,” said Ponnuchamy.

She said at the end of the day she wants businesses to thrive, but not at the expense of the public.

“I don’t want them to die. I know two people right now who have this, they’re suffering,” said Ponnuchamy.

The first wave of businesses will open Friday.