Covid 19 in Lakewood

[Jim O'Bryan]

Since some restaurateurs are very litigious about restrictions imposed upon them from the state health department, perhaps those that have been infected might want to turn the tables and sue the establishments for unsafe conditions. I know of two businesses in Lakewood that shut down temporarily due to covid. Dang Good Foods was very upfront of a possible issue and self-quarantined their business for two weeks. Cap and Corks shut down and said they were disinfecting the store. Word was already out that a customer or staff member was positive for COVID.

If the county health department doesn't warn about COVID hot spots, or at least conducts contact tracing so people can be informed and can quarantine to prevent further spread, what are they doing?

Those attending the ill-fated Trump rally in Tulsa had to sign a waiver saying they would not sue if they caught Covid-19 there. That shows the potential liability involved and points to a way out for the city. Have everyone entering an eating or drinking establishment sign a legal document agreeing not to sue and to take financial responsibility for anyone they spread Covid-19 to. Problem solved and without abridging anyone's rights.

Dan

It is like the disclaimers in restaurants saying they are not responsible for coats, or go karts tracks saying you they are not responsible for injuries. While it stops some from suing, it is not protection. You cannot legally reassigned liability. Even the Trumo no sue release is not real till proven in court, every time it arrives there.

At one point this City could have been the safest COVID free city in the country. But council has decided our health is not as important as their drinking and partying. Actual it was always like that, they were bullshitting us acting like they care about our health, or anything to do with residents.

Look at what they have done for businesses and bars, now look at what they have done for the community. They have the opposite view of successful cities where businesses help offset residential shortfalls. Here the residents underwrite the businesses. In Cleveland Hts, Coventry is a SID Special Interest District. The businesses on Conventry pay for the flowers, parks, chairs, cleanups etc on Coventry. That is reversed in DowntowN and other places for businesses in Lakewood.

If we are giving up our sidewalks and health, we should at least get something in return.

.

[Dan Alaimo]

Since some restaurateurs are very litigious about restrictions imposed upon them from the state health department, perhaps those that have been infected might want to turn the tables and sue the establishments for unsafe conditions. I know of two businesses in Lakewood that shut down temporarily due to covid. Dang Good Foods was very upfront of a possible issue and self-quarantined their business for two weeks. Cap and Corks shut down and said they were disinfecting the store. Word was already out that a customer or staff member was positive for COVID.

If the county health department doesn't warn about COVID hot spots, or at least conducts contact tracing so people can be informed and can quarantine to prevent further spread, what are they doing?

Those attending the ill-fated Trump rally in Tulsa had to sign a waiver saying they would not sue if they caught Covid-19 there. That shows the potential liability involved and points to a way out for the city. Have everyone entering an eating or drinking establishment sign a legal document agreeing not to sue and to take financial responsibility for anyone they spread Covid-19 to. Problem solved and without abridging anyone's rights.

Dan

It is like the disclaimers in restaurants saying they are not responsible for coats, or go karts tracks saying you they are not responsible for injuries. While it stops some from suing, it is not protection. You cannot legally reassigned liability. Even the Trumo no sue release is not real till proven in court, every time it arrives there.

At one point this City could have been the safest COVID free city in the country. But council has decided our health is not as important as their drinking and partying. Actual it was always like that, they were bullshitting us acting like they care about our health, or anything to do with residents.

Look at what they have done for businesses and bars, now look at what they have done for the community. They have the opposite view of successful cities where businesses help offset residential shortfalls. Here the residents underwrite the businesses. In Cleveland Hts, Coventry is a SID Special Interest District. The businesses on Conventry pay for the flowers, parks, chairs, cleanups etc on Coventry. That is reversed in DowntowN and other places for businesses in Lakewood.

If we are giving up our sidewalks and health, we should at least get something in return.

.

To explain further my suggestion:
If people have to sign a waiver each time they visit a bar or restaurant, they will at least have to consider the possibility of infection and the liability they are surrendering. Surely that same piece of paper can contain information such as Mark Kindt provides in one of the other threads: "here's HOW MUCH liability you are surrendering." And if they consider this, perhaps they will think twice about patronizing the business.

Without closing business down which I don't think the city can do under state law (I really don't know), or reversing an ill-considered ordinance, the city can accomplish much the same goal with this end-run. How can they sue the city for protecting itself?

After all, the president did it.

I recognize the need for restaurants and bars to continue to do business, and for the taxes they bring to the city, but this remains a matter of life and death. We re-opened too soon and this is the price to pay for it.

[pj bennett]

According to a report on the news this morning, there are now 21 states requiring the wearing of a mask when in public.

Hopefully, Gov. DeWine sees the value of this and joins the pack immediately.