Adam Beam, Associated Press Updated 11:19 pm EDT, Friday, April 10, 2020

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s top public health official said for the first time Friday that the coronavirus might not be as devastating as state officials had feared and Gavin Newsom revealed his administration now is planning for how to reopen the state. Business groups are also planning, with some of the state’s largest trade associations holding conference calls about what they should ask the government to do to jump-start the economy.

…“We want our businesses back open. We want to have the ability to continue to grow and to expand,” said Rex Hime, president and CEO of the California Business Properties Association. “There is not a single person I have talked to in our industry that wants to do anything rash or to do anything that is going to set this clock backwards instead of going forward.”

But some were frustrated they have been left out of Newsom’s plans. Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association, said her group has been writing letters to Newsom, asking to be included in such discussions.

“We want to see him engaging us,” said Michelin, who represents grocery chains, big box stores and other retailers. “We’ve been willing and said we want to help you, but yet we don’t even get a response.”….