At the last Northampton County Council meeting, Executive Lamont McClare said the most pushback he's received during the Covid-19 crisis was regarding his decision to close the county's parks. He shut them down April 7. He's decided that, effective May 1, he will re-open them.
In a statement announcing this decision, McClure said he "felt it was necessary to protect public health as cases in our area were expected to peak between April 9th and 15th.” Well, that peak never materialized. I've also heard that McClure felt he had no choice because people in the parks were refusing to follow social distancing guidelines.
There have been several studies demonstrating that you're much more likely to be infected by the Covid-19 virus indoors than outdoors. A recent Chinese study (not peer reviewed) concludes transmission of Covid-19 is almost entirely an indoor phenomenon. This is corroborated by a Japanese study demonstrating that respiratory viruses like Covid-19 are less virulent in higher temperatures and humidity. Most recently, Homeland Security's Science and Technology Department has produced emerging research showing that sunlight, can seriously weaken Covid-19 in about two minutes. At lesser intensities, it takes a little longer. In addition to the ultra violet rays from sunlight, heat and humidity also play a role in weakening and killing Covid-19.
A scientific basis to justify park closures is basically nonexistent.
Though the parks will be open, facilities like pavilions, playgrounds and restrooms will remain closed until further notice.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Wednesday, April 29, 2020
6 comments:
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Will we see the multitudes of assholes congregating in the pavilions like before. If so, close them again. The only thing worse than the pandemic is the number of assholes out there.
ReplyDeleteRead the last paragraph, bonehead. Pavilions will remain closed.
DeleteSPOKEN FROM A TRUE ASSHOLE!!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe they all are from the same household.
ReplyDelete"Will we see the multitudes of assholes congregating in the pavilions like before."
ReplyDeleteHere's an idea, Karen: look away and mind your own effing business. Nobody likes rats and busybodies. Nobody likes you, Karen. Keep tabs on your own worthless existence and stop kvelling over others'. You may live longer, much to the chagrin of whomever must endure you.
Despite the warnings and the taped off pavilions, the idiots still just ignore them and do what they want. The parks should open but if they become irresponsible party locations they should close immediately until the "all about me' people grow up and learn to be a responsible adult that's part of a community.
ReplyDelete