Empty parking lots, deserted food courts and shuttered play areas: Malls across America resemble ghost towns as they reopen to a virus weary public reeling from historic job losses(18 Pics)
Many American states have begun to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic, but shopping malls all across the country still resemble ghost towns.
Known for being thriving social hubs and a key part of the American economy, dozens of malls remained abandoned this week, despite opening back up for businesses.
In Florida, Georgia and Texas, there were empty parking lots, deserted food courts and roped-off play areas as people continue to stay at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.
While both President Donald Trump and state governors have been talking about the importance of reopening the economy, it seems many are still fearful of heading out to shop.
As of Friday afternoon, more than 1.3 million Americans have tested positive to COVID-19, and 78,318 have died.
Anxiety about the virus is coupled with soaring unemployment numbers, with many people now without the disposable income required to shop at the mall.
The unemployment rate currently stands at 14.7 percent, the worst since the Depression era. More than 20 million people lost their jobs in the month of April alone.
Larry Kudlow, the White House's national economic council director, on Friday even suggested employment figures could get worse as the pandemic wears on.
'I don't think this pandemic contraction has yet fully run its course,' he stated. 'This is a number full of heartbreak and hardship. There's no way to get around it.'
NAPLES, FLORIDA: Many American states have begun to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic, but shopping malls all across the country still resemble ghost towns. A near empty parking lot at the Coastland Center is pictured on Friday. Only a handful of the 4,500 spaces were taken
NAPLES, FLORIDA: While both President Trump and state governors have been talking about the importance of reopening the economy, it seems many are still fearful of heading out to shop. Coastland Center (pictured) has 122 retail stores, and can usually accommodate thousands of shoppers
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Shopping centers have largely reopened in Georgia, but many shops inside remain closed. Lennox Square (pictured) boasts 188 stores - but few are currently open
AUSTIN, TEXAS: A lone man at a kiosk is seen inside the Barton Creek Square Mall on Wednesday. The mall boasts over 100 stores and has been operating since 1981
YUBA, CALIFORNIA: On Wednesday, Yuba County in Northern California defied Gov. Gavin Newsom's orders to remain closed, opening Yuba-Sutter Mall. However, only a handful of shoppers ventured inside, and many stores inside were still closed
FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE: The CoolSprings Galleria shopping mall reopened with new protective measures on Monday - but many of the 165 stores inside, including Apple, remain closed
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA: Many malls in Arizona were opened Friday. Pictured: a handful of brave shoppers make their way through a near-deserted outdoor mall in Scottsdale
In Florida on Friday, the Coastland Center shopping mall in Naples was eerily quiet, despite being open to the public.
Gov Ron DeSantis allowed most malls in the state to reopen on Monday, as long as they operated at a 25 per cent capacity.
But it seems most stores won't be turning people away for fear of overcrowding, with only a handful of shoppers seen inside.
Many stores inside the facility remained shuttered, and play areas for children were blocked off.
Coastland Center had spaced out seats in its food court to respect social distancing, but given how quiet is was, there was no risk of coming within six foot of a fellow shopper.
NAPLES, FLORIDA: In Florida on Friday, the Coastland Center shopping mall in Naples was eerily quiet, despite being open to the public
NAPLES, FLORIDA: Coastland Center had spaced out seats in its food court to respect social distancing, but given how quiet is was, there was no risk of coming within six foot of a fellow shopper
NAPLES, FLORIDA: Some sinks were blocked off in public bathrooms
NAPLES, FLORIDA: Play areas for children have been shut off and many stores were still closed
NAPLES, FLORIDA: One young shopper appeared disappointed to see that play areas
There were 3.2 million new claims for unemployment benefits filed in the week ending May 2, according to a Labor Department report released on Thursday
Meanwhile, many shopping centers in Georgia reopened on Thursday, but there appeared to be tepid interest from the public.
Only a few shoppers were seen inside the Lennox Square Mall in Atlanta. They sensibly donned masks and gloves as they headed out to stock up,
The mall's owners had also closed off some seating and tables with blue tape so that consumers would be able to maintain a safe social distance.
Scenes of desertion inside the once thriving malls come as the nation becomes increasingly divided in its response to the pandemic.
Anti-lockdown protesters have been marching on capitol buildings in recent weeks to demand an end to lockdowns, which they say quashes their liberty and irreparably damages businesses, jobs and the economy
They have been met by counter-protesters and the pleas of medical experts who insist social distancing is working and that returning to business as usual too soon will trigger a renewed spike in deaths and infections.
White House guidelines recommend states can begin easing lockdown restrictions when they have seen a 14-day trajectory in new cases or positive test rates.
But at least 17 reopening states including Alabama, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah have not seen this downward trend, according to analysis by the Associated Press.
Some states have even reopened while daily cases and positive test rates for the deadly virus have continued to climb.
NAPLES, FLORIDA: Seating areas were deserted inside the Coastland Center
NAPLES, FLORIDA: While some stores, including Verizon, were opened back up, many remained shuttered. Game areas were also blocked off
NAPLES, FLORIDA: Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer could be seen set up at the front of this game center
NAPLES, FLORIDA: With many people now out of work, they are without the disposable income needed
NAPLES, FLORIDA: Anxiety about the virus is coupled with soaring unemployment numbers, leaving many shopping malls all-but-empty
Empty parking lots, deserted food courts and shuttered play areas: Malls across America resemble ghost towns as they reopen to a virus weary public reeling from historic job losses(18 Pics)
![Empty parking lots, deserted food courts and shuttered play areas: Malls across America resemble ghost towns as they reopen to a virus weary public reeling from historic job losses(18 Pics)]()
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May 09, 2020
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