Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung made an appearance on Boston Public Radio Friday, where she talked about her experience documenting Boston's reluctant reopening.
"We had a bunch of business reporters fanned out on Tuesday because that was the first kind of work day,” Leung explained. "Monday was Memorial Day, this was the first week where people could return to their offices at 25 percent capacity."
Memorial Day was also the first day that Boston retail stores were permitted to allow roadside pickup. But Leung said she didn’t see retail shops jumping at the opportunity.
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"This past week has just [had] gorgeous spring days in Boston, it’s like 80 degrees and sunny. And when I think of that, I think of [everybody] out on Newbury street, right? People are eating out on the outdoor patios and cafes, or they’re people watching,” Leung said. She added, "What struck me is that it was actually hard to find a place that was open, with all that retail, all those restaurants. … And they didn’t look like they were gonna be open anytime soon.”
She said many shops looked “like they [were] frozen in time, that workers left in a hurry in March and never came back.”
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"Maybe they’re waiting for more of Boston to reopen,” she said. “Maybe when the restaurants can open for some kind of service beyond takeout, maybe that’s when the street will come alive."
In the meantime, the city will continue to move through reopening phases. Next Monday, June 1, Boston offices will be permitted to bring back up 25 percent of their employees.
"I assume it’ll be pretty quiet as well,” Leung said.
