Gov. Henry McMaster and President Donald Trump are considering how to reopen a stalled economy.

Meeting remotely with other governors and health officials, they are reportedly thinking carefully about how to present this to the public to build confidence without reckless behavior.

The governor has extended the state of emergency through the end of April.

That is a hint that current orders may ease in May.

The governor has not lifted restrictions on travel except to work, exercise, family visits or obtain food, medicine or other supplies.

Further complicating the situation was Monday morning’s severe storms.

9 people died in storms that spawned tornadoes across the state. Damage included homes destroyed in neighboring Orangeburg and Aiken counties.

Gov. McMaster’s executive order has closed all non-essential businesses.

The SC Department of Commerce has expanded online resources to help businesses forced to close.

More on that can be found in Resources at https://www.sccommerce.com/.

Some vape shops, florists, furniture stores, fashion shops, and other businesses deemed non-essential remain open.

The Lexington Police Department has advised residents that it considers yard sales non-essential.

With cuts in refinery production due to declining demand during the pandemic, low Lexington County gas prices could begin climbing from $1.35 a gallon.

Health officials say confirmed virus cases have doubled each week since early March when the 1st SC cases were reported.

Latest data suggests that dramatic rise is slowing.

127 new SC cases were reported Monday for a total of 3,439 and 5 more deaths for total of 87 statewide.

In its latest findings, the SC Department of Health & Environmental Control showed Lexington County had 206 people testing positive and 6 deaths. Tragic as that is, in a population of almost 300,000, health officials call that minor.