Pandemic planning-Fairfax recovers

It's time to reopen the economy. A long post about that, and a call to action at the very bottom.

Why reopen the economy now?

Health authorities in the Bay Area have agreed on a set of "Indicators" showing progress in controlling the impacts of COVID-19. These are meant to inform (but not determine) decisions about relaxing per county Shelter-in-Place orders. In Marin, those Indicators look like this:

>80/100k reported in the last couple of weeks. Not even close to the state goal.

 

Number of COVID patients in the hospital is not only increasing but is indeed at an all time high for Marin.

In most respects Marin has things under control: enough hospital beds, enough resources for contact tracing, almost enough PPE. But the presence of the disease in local communities is increasing, and there is no reason to expect it to slow in the foreseeable future.

So why reopen? Because businesses are dying in droves. We are making a communal decision here to accept a higher rate of infection in exchange for enough economic activity to save the retail establishments (and related jobs) that haven't already given up the ghost. This decision will turn out to be a good one only if consumers participate in their local economies and if they are able to do so safely. If consumers stay home--whether because of real or perceived concerns about their safety in public--then more businesses will go under. And if consumers do come out but many more of them get sick because they did, then the price paid in public health will become too high--those graphs will jump further upwards--and reopening will have to be reversed. This would be disastrous in every respect.

How can we reopen safely and effectively?

There's still a lot we don't know about the disease, but we do know how to keep people from getting it: wear masks, interact outside and only in limited ways, and give each other space. How a retail business can operate profitably while still keeping workers and customers safe, that's a harder question. Here's a highly selective extract from the County's extensive set of rules governing the current phase of reopening for restaurants and shops respectively:

Restaurants may offer outdoor dining if they adhere to the following guidelines:

• Space all tables at least six feet apart.
• Place tape or markings at least six feet apart in any area where members of public may form a line.
• Encourage reservations or advise people to call in advance to confirm seating/serving capacity. Consider a phone reservation system that allows people to queue or wait in cars and enter only when a phone call, text, or other method, indicates that a table is ready.
• Limit tables to no more than 6 people; all who share a table must be within the same household group.
• Utilize expanded outdoor seating where possible along right of ways or other outdoor areas as approved by local jurisdictions.

Best Practices for Curbside & Outdoor Retailers:

• The curbside or walk-up transaction will occur outside the building, such as in the doorway or through an exterior window. Customers will not enter the premises of the store at any time.
• With permission from the local jurisdictions and/or shopping center, Curbside Retailer may display merchandise curbside or create an outdoor retail location. Curbside Retailers must clearly designate and mark any outdoor retail location. Local jurisdictions shall have flexibility to create outdoor space use solutions that work for their communities.
• Curbside pick-up/delivery access points are clearly designated and marked and meet the criteria established by the local jurisdiction to do so.
• Provide a location for customers to pick up their goods and a contact to allow for delivery without direct interaction, except as necessary to accept payment.
• Limit the number of customers waiting in line at any one time that will allow for customers and employees to easily maintain at least six foot distance from one another and allows sufficient sidewalk or outdoor space to allow safe pedestrian right-of-way at all times.
• Be prepared to queue customers outside while still maintaining physical distance. No non-household group gatherings around outdoor retail displays are allowed.
• Shade structures. Umbrellas, canopies and other shade structures are only allowed if they do not have sides and allow for the free flow of air through the space and as permitted by the local jurisdiction.
  

The question again: How can we do this safely and effectively? The Town Council considered a proposal brought by the talented and persuasive John Bela at a previous special meeting (see my last blog post on the topic) and thereafter voted as follows:

In an effort to temporarily streamline Town regulations regarding outdoor dining and other business uses (e.g., outdoor retail), the Town Council took several actions at its June 3rdmeeting. Specifically, the Town adopted an urgency ordinance to create a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) process. TUP’s will allow restaurants and other businesses to temporarily expand their operations outside on their private property (e.g., parking lot) for such uses as dining, retail, or exercise classes.

The Council also adopted a resolution that: 1) authorizes the Town Manager to establish a special administrative permitting process that allows restaurants and other businesses to temporarily operate in a safe, expanded outdoor capacity in the public right-of-way adjacent to their businesses (e.g., parking spaces) and 2) allows for the temporary closure of portions of Mono Ave.(alley) adjacent to Bolinas Rd. for outdoor dining. There is no fee for either the TUP or special administrative permit. All businesses must comply with the MarinRecovers safety guidelines.

In addition, the Council intends to "Discuss/consider the further use of public spaces (e.g., parking lots) for temporary outdoor businesses uses and provide direction to staff" this Wednesday the 17th. Attached to this item on the agenda you will find an even more detailed proposal from John. To my mind, this is the best way forward for Fairfax--not a perfect solution, nor the last word on the matter, but a great place to start. And that brings me to my ask: please read it and, if it has your support too, please come out again to voice that support at this Wednesday's meeting. Can't make the meeting (or can't stay up until this agenda item comes around)? Email Michelle, the Town Clerk, to state your opinion, and if you do so during the meeting (which starts at 6 PM) there's a good chance it will be read out on your behalf when the item comes up. Participate!