Anonymous
By Anna Marie Gott
Pedestrians who use sidewalks will be forced into situations they shouldn’t be in. They will be exposed to a deadly virus. They will be looked upon as a danger to customers dining on the sidewalk – because they are walking too close to them. They will be bullied, shamed and harassed for simply using the sidewalk as it was designed to be used. – This is exactly what is happening here. A 4ft pathway on a sidewalk is simply not enough to socially distance.
It is not acceptable, but is is now permitted in the City of Santa Barbara by a 7 – 0 vote yesterday by the City Council. The Council and Public Health Department of the County should both be ashamed of themselves for permitting restaurants and other businesses to effectively block public sidewalks – rather than providing the required 6ft for social distancing for the public’s health and safety.
This new ordinance and it’s effect on the public is contrary public health, safety, and welfare, and needs to be rethought. If you feel the same way there are a few things you can do to put pressure on the City Council, the County Public Health Department and businesses to change this ordinance and this new City policy.
You can:
1) Demand that sidewalks in all areas of the City have the minimum pathway of 6ft for pedestrians to socially distance on the public sidewalk, and ask the City to close businesses if they continue to block public sidewalks. (Businesses are now permitted to use the public street or a parking lot for dining.) Simply send an email to: sbcitycouncil@santabarbaraca.gov, pcasey@santabarbaraca.gov, acalonne@santabarbaraca.gov, Henning.Ansorg@sbcphd.org, Van.Do-Reynoso@sbcphd.org, phdwebmaster@co.santa-barbara.ca.us, sbcwebmaster@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
2) Patronize restaurants and other businesses that do not block sidewalks and follow the required 6ft rules for tables and seating, or
3) Tell the owners/managers of a restaurant or business that dissuades the public from using the sidewalk, or does not provide the required 6ft social distancing that protects you and the people next to you, why you are taking your business elsewhere.
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Is there nothing that people won’t cavail about? These are hard times. Compromises need to be reached and people need to be sharing burdens and benefits. Why so much hostility to any attempted solution? I have long been bothered by the city allowing business on sidewalks but in these times it seems perfectly reasonable. Let’s try to just get along.
Get out and eat!
Lucy 777 I agree. I also envisioned the street being utilized more for the restaurant seating. I also imagined a walk and bike path down the center. Institution Ale seemed to have done it up well, maybe a little too crowded for my taste, but the utilization of the street created more of the feeling I was hoping for. I think there can be a happy medium with keeping the sidewalk open for accessing the different businesses and expanding into the street. I’d like to see “Wear your Mask for others’ sake” reminder signs everywhere! Looking forward to State Street revitalizing and changing with the times to support local people and businesses.
This isn’t temporary unless you buy into the coronavirus disappearing or that a vaccine is imminent. We don’t know when or how protective any vaccine will be. We also don’t know how difficult it will be to produce and then vaccinate everyone or how quickly the virus will mutate into something else… Commercial rents will need to adjust downward and we should be prepared to dine in the street and leave sidewalks alone.
Reading this made me create an account so I could comment. The street is a great place for everyone to walk or roll. There are ramps on each city block corner and in the middle of the block. The VAST majority of business are accessible right now (if not all). What makes sense is to close the sidewalks for restaurants and move all other foot/wheel traffic to the street. That way there is no commingling of food and beverage being served, people consuming these items, and everyone else.
I am all in favor of the ADA, and the US is the best country in the world for this. BUT, perfection is the enemy of the good in this case. I’m not surprised some EdHat’ers are looking for things to complain about, and there are a couple of people in this community who make a living from filing frivolous ADA lawsuits. I hope the city sticks with this and doesn’t cave in to a handful of malcontents.
It is awesome to see State Street alive again, and this is what the city needs as a permanent solution to the downtown decline. There are many ways that this quick fix can and will be improved. Everyone should just relax and give it time. (There are many more important things to get worked up about if you are looking for a cause. How about Black Lives Matter?)
The hysteria surrounding the virus is out of control. Current data simply doesn’t support this level of panic and fear if you’r not in the high risk category. A neighbor in my complex complained that the gardeners shouldn’t be blowing the leaves during the pandemic because they might spread the virus around and it will get under their door or in through their windows. Come on people, common sense and critical thinking! Don’t just take every doom and gloom worst case prediction you see on the news as reality because none of those models or scenarios came to pass even in countries that didn’t lock down or states that opened up early. Do you think the virus knows the difference between 4′ and 6′ outside in the wind?
It would be nice to have a buffer zone around the tables. It doesn’t matter how wide the path is if walkers are able to walk at the edge of the path, right next to the tables. I have faith that the businesses will work out a good system if given some leeway. Or maybe our new downtown consultant could analyze which restaurants have set it up well and and spread the word to others. We do need to accommodate disabled people; if we make the street the sole passageway, maybe we could add temporary mid-block curb ramps.
I like the idea of requiring masks for people on the move.
The street has a larger footprint. That means more revenue for busineses that use it rather than the sidewalk. They can also expand beyond the width of their storefront. Using the sidewalk the way you suggest is short sighted.
You’re right. Your hysteria about people taking reasonable health protections is getting old.
It’s crazy that you are being downvoted for completely rational statements. Yeah, let’s all get up in arms about ADA implications for a temporary situation during a pandemic. Priorities, people.
RHS. “Cavil.”
correction: where people are dining on either side of you
cav·il /ˈkavəl/ make petty or unnecessary objections.
Masks are required. They are not ticketing people. Because of that and the fact that tourists are bringing and taking the virus home with them when they leave we will head to lock down faster. Our numbers are increasing.
Hysteria puts it mildly, I see fear in so many. My wife had surgery at Cedar Sinai last week, in Los Angeles
there’s nothing, NOTHING going on there…………… people aren’t crowding the hospitals in anyway, shape or form. I’m sure there are folk here that will be outraged that I traveled to Los Angeles & back, will I suddenly be labeled a carrier? will the force of my footsteps create such a breeze that the virus will creep into your being? Will you worry as to where I am? Sam The Dog is the only one I see here using logic & common sense. The media has created an incredible monster here, but they are now moving on to new tragic headlines. I really wish people would get a grip, most are seriously losing it.
“Dying” might be more prophetic.
People can end the madness of the government’s tyrannical orders at any time — just stop complying.
Gott is complaining about ABLE-BODIED people being “pushed [pedestrians] into the street.” My jaw literally dropped at her complaint. “It pushed pedestrians into the street to protect those dining on the sidewalk.”
This is the response of a muckraker to an effort to support business?! Is there nothing Gott will not complain about? If I were disabled, I’d call ahead. Sure, it’s an ADA issue. It’s also a global issue! The nation, and the world, is trying to figure out how to adapt! How is this helpful?!
Efforts to clear the sidewalk would make me feel better about going out. There’s nothing healthy about crowded sidewalks. It sure doesn’t make me want to eat downtown. Take a breath and a good long thought, Ms. Gott. And yes, national concerns about the treatment of minorities is a hugely larger concern!
There are sidewalks all over that normally do not have six feet of clear space. This set-up is imperfect, but it is temporary, and is a good effort to address a big problem. I say keep the four feet clear on the sidewalk, and keep safe walking space in the street, and let’s all just try to make do for now. Some of us won’t be venturing out regardless whether the sidewalk is six feet wide or four. It’s all a risk. Don’t imagine that a six-foot wide sidewalk is going to make much difference in this situation.
The County rule is you must wear a mask when waiting in line to get in a business and/or when inside the business. It says nothing about wearing a mask while walking down the street.
Would that it were only four feet that is the problem. Google “web md airborne Coronavirus” and you will find an article about a scientist who believes the virus spreads by being airborne. “Airborne” means as far away as you can smell a barbecue or cigarette smoke. Ten feet? 20 feet? Good luck to us all.
It is ludicrous and haphazard- I walked State st on Sunday and I will not return- what madness- parts of sidewalk completely roped off, no ada access- walking in street along with racing bicycles and scooters….. note: City of Santa Monica Third St Promenade- often touted as the “poster child” of closing of the street- does not allow bicycles, scooters to be ridden on the promenade. The public health implications of people dining on a filthy street or sidewalk, during a pandemic, crowded together, is something that could not have been envisioned. I expect similar conflicts to pop up throughout the county
Street curbs are 6 to 8 inches in height. There is no access to most businesses from the street. Anyone in a wheelchair or who can’t walk up a step without a railing or hop through bushes can’t get to a business. This is why ADA requirements can’t be met and why dining needs to be in the street. I really fail to see how the 4ft pathway meets the County of Public Health Departments opening guidedance in the RISE Guidelines either. If we are supposed to be socially distancing by 6 ft then 4 ft is not enough. Besides this, has anyone been downtown? In many areas there isn’t even 4 ft and virtually no one is wearing a mask.
And hardly anyone is wearing mask which is a ticking time bomb. Plus walking right through the middle of a restaurant where people are dying on either side of you is claustrophobic.
Rushed, half assed effort again. Again. Again. Same crap different day from this city. Yes, get businesses going. But come-on. We didn’t do all this stay at home business to have it blown up in a few weeks. Hope all is ok and cases stay down. I will absolutely not be going downtown. Opposite of what city wanted
Your Google search on AMG resulted in finding a mailing address. She hasn’t lived there in years. She lives in Santa Barbara. – Start using your critical analysis skills, unless you want to continue to illustrate that you are of below average intelligence on the Bell Curve.
If the public isn’t aware of an issue can it disagree with it? We do not have a lot of real public discourse about the nitty gritty details and the body hearing an item often do not know what ordinances apply or don’t and rely on Staff Members whose job it is to get a project through not ensure that before it is approved that the i’s and t’s are dotted. If you did your homework on something she’s brought up I could almost guarantee the details she brings up are often never known, considered or discussed by Staff Members or the body before. (Most hearing bodys don’t even get access to documents on a project to show that is does not does not meet City Ordinances or Policies. To say they most often fly blind when making decisions would be an understatement.) I believe your supposition that no one else disagrees is not based on fact and just shows that you don’t know even half the story or why she thinks speaking out is important.
There doesn’t seem to be ANYTHING that this women doesn’t find fault with. God, please, for the sake of us all- GET HER A LIFE.
We are sick of hearing her “opinions” which she delude us with on ALL SUBJECTS.
I feel bad for Ms. Gott. She has a clearly unhealthy fixation on these issues. I have seen her at countless committee and council meetings being the only person to get up and object to matters that literally no one else disagrees with. I believe she is well intentioned. But for her own sake, she should seek help.
Ms. Gott has the courage to speak up for the voiceless in this city… I applaud her courage to speak out, go against the grain and hold the city of Santa Barbara accountable. There are many issues I had no idea till she brought them to the forefront, Keep doing what your doing Ms. Gott and ignore the haters
The sidewalk needs to be clear; tables in the street. Shops next to a roped off sidewalk are screwed as sheeple will have to go around into the street and then bypass said shop. Bike lane in the middle? Unless it’s two way it’s useless and an accident waiting to happen.
Let’s be thankful, at least SOMETHING was done instead of being talkedthis about forever. Give it a chance for businesses and city to tweak it. Do it, but do it right.
And oh yeah, if the bums are still welcomed and encouraged, all of this is for naught!
I sure wish Ms. Gott was our Mayor or at least a City Council Member. She puts all the concerns and issues of the community first. Not about self interest.
She would have to live in the City of Santa Barbara first and not Los Olivos.
I don’t think we have to worry that the author will be attending any Floyd protests or riots.
@ 11:51 PM, Google “a lot of stuff” and you’ll fine a number of articles about scientist who believe a lot of stuff. Let’s use some common sense here and apply it to our situation in SB. What is very reasonable and safe here may not be safe In NY. Experts are only putting out blanket guidance for the entire US that is supposed to apply to pedestrians walking down a sunny Santa Barbara street and a commuter traveling the subway in New York. Blanket guidance does not work, blanket closures and lock downs do not work. Common sense and basic practices such as washing your hands often, minding how you sneeze/cough, not touching our face and staying home when sick are proven and expert/scientist/doctor recommended ways to easily prevent the spread of Covid-19 and all other pathogens.
SBCARNUT, include yourself in the logic and common sense category. I am sorry that most of your posts have been deleted in the past by “Administrator” because I though you made many salient and valid points. When I see people going up and down my streets, often driving a Prius, with windows rolled up tightly and wearing masks inside a car equipped with HEPA cabin air filters, I definitely see people who have “lost it.” And when I see solitary people walking around outside in mostly empty parks, I know that only confirms these suspicions. To think that the author spent so much time writing this, whining and being concerned about absolutely nothing, is mind-boggling.
Anna your hypothesis is irrational and not based on facts. Do your research before publishing next time please. You must be within 6 feet of another person for more than 15 minutes to be threatened.
Or you can just walk in the street? I bet businesses will install plywood ramps for people needing ADA access to their businesses if they are blocking the main sidewalk access. Seems like an easily solvable problem.
Nice slam, first time poster Gtownie. Figure you are just a Chinese or Russian Troll because your comment didn’t have any actual info in it. You’re going to fit right in here.
Google web md scientist Coronavirus airborne. You can read an article about a scientist who thinks the virus is airborne, which means its spread is comparable to that of the smell of a cigarette or barbecue. How far is that? Ten feet? Twenty?
Cite your source. Common sense tells you that being within 6 feet of an asymptomatic person for any length of time who is singing or speaking is going to put you at risk. Check out what happened to the Skagit Choir group in March.