Last week, we asked you how soon you’d feel safe getting back to life as restrictions lift, and almost 400 of you responded to give us your feelings on returning to the office, restaurants, indoor + outdoor events, vacation planning, and more.

Today, TN moves into phase 2 of reopening, we’re breaking down the data – and including some of your feedback on how we can continue to reopen safely + where you’ll be heading first. Thanks again to The Hustle for providing the original inspo for our poll.

Here’s what you shared.

Masks might make all the difference. The number one response to how businesses could make customers feel safe – mentioned over 100 times – was to require people to wear one. DYK: The CDC recommends wearing a cloth face mask when out in public to stop the spread of COVID-19 — there is evidence that people with COVID-19 can spread the disease, even when they don’t have symptoms.
You’re missing local businesses the most. The majority of you mentioned missing local restaurants, and specifically named Market South, Milk and Honey, Cashew, and Two Ten Jack, among others.
You’re ready for a road trip. 46% of you feel like you could take a local or regional vacay right now. But 64% of you are planning to wait at least a year to travel internationally.
39.4% of you could go back to work in an office now. Another 41% could be ok with it in one to six months.
You’re on the fence about eating in restaurants or catching a flick on the big screen. Only 31.3% of you would go out to eat or see a movie right now, with another 35.1% in the next six months.
You’re waiting a while longer on large events. 27% want to wait until next year for an outdoor show, and 45% of you wouldn’t feel comfortable at an indoor event, wanting to wait at least a year before an indoor event.

Check out the full results breakdown here. ⬇️

Here’s what else we learned.

Over 60 of you mentioned getting a vaccine + doing more testing as factors that will make you feel safe – and some of you said that you don’t plan to do much until those are in place.

And y’all miss plenty of other things too — including live theater, the public library, and “what’s unique about Chattanooga like the Market, Nightfall.” (Frances W.). We’re on the same page, guys.

While some of you are ready to get out and about now, others are opting to wait — and most want to strike a balance between the two. Deb H. wants to “Do it carefully so we don't end up staying home longer than necessary.” And Trista R. says, “It will likely be 4-6 weeks before we understand how reopening is impacting infection rates—I’m staying home until then!”

Want to know how other cities around the Southeast answered our poll? Click the button below to see responses from our sister markets in Asheville, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Lakeland, and Raleigh – 7,673 in total. ⬇️

When will you feel ready to return to work in an office?

When will you feel ready to eat at restaurants or go to a movie?

When will you feel ready to send kids to camp or daycare?

When will you feel ready to attend an outdoor concert or event?

When will you feel ready to attend an indoor concert or event?

When will you feel ready to take a road trip?

When will you feel ready to travel internationally?