The Observation Deck

Part of the reason so many people downplay the coronavirus pandemic is that they don’t personally know anyone that got it.

A good friend of mine told me today that her 20 something child has tested positive, as did 8 of their friends, after a get together at a Lakewood bar.

It’s real, it’s here, it’s right next to you.

The recent figures show the average age skewing younger. These under 40’s are out socializing now and it’s spreading amongst them. Soon, they’ll be passing it on to their parents.

Bars.
What's to say?
Patrons are not going to wear masks, as it's impossible to eat or drink through a mask.
So....they get infected.
And....they will infect others.

Thing is, folks who get a diagnosis of cancer didn't have a choice. They simply got cancer.
Folks with Parkinson's disease or ALS or any number of diseases did not have a choice. They simply got the dreaded disease.

With covid-19, there IS a choice. By wearing a mask. Avoiding groups. Washing hands thoroughly.

Wearing masks has been proven to be far more effective in preventing covid-19 than originally thought.

And, recently, the governor of California declared that everyone must wear a mask when in public.

But, the mask must be worn properly. In other words, on the face with both the nose and mouth covered.
Not under the chin. Not in a pocket. Not dangling from a wrist.

For some reason, many think it's an affront to their personal freedom to have to wear a mask.
Huh?
Isn't it a matter of human decency?

If covid-19 was a sexually transmitted disease, many would be racing to take safety measures.

What will it take for EVERYONE to take this virus seriously?
How about just putting the damn mask on when stepping off personal property and going public and know that you're not leaving any vapor trails.

Remember, unless one is an essential worker, we each have a choice in contracting covid-19. Or, becoming a carrier.

pj---well put, Stan

Fascinating facts.

Average age of COVID 19 person in hospital in Florida is 33, Average age of people with it 27.

France finding brain lesions even on asymptomatic people.

China finding immunity might only last 30 days,

And Lakewood's rate going through the roof tied with bars.

When will a City leader finally tell the community the truth?

When will Lakewood get an adult on City Council?

A city is more than drinking craft beer in the streets.

There is this other little thing called safety. You kids remember safety. Now I know you have gotten rid of our hospital, squandered our rainy day funds on cool things that last for minutes. But as most of you did not grow up here, safety was something Lakewood prided itself in. Not just safe for people coming to drink in our streets and speed home. But safe for the residents. I am not kidding you. Lakewood, not too long ago actually prided itself on our schools, education, and being a great place to live and raise a family.

This week a drunk drove up the lawns of houses until he crashed into a car. And now Lakewood is becoming the hotspot of the County and maybe Ohio. Of course most hotspots were caused by people that had no choice but to work and sleep next to each other at meat packing plants, senior care centers and prisons. But here in Lakewood we did it because WE HAVE TO DRINK IN THE STREETS!

Sad state of affairs.

.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:When will a City leader finally tell the community the truth?

When will Lakewood get an adult on City Council?

To be fair, what exactly can the Mayor or Council do?
The President and the Governor are pushing the "everything is fine" narrative.
Cleveland and Cuyahoga leadership have been quiet on the issue, which is consent for the "open everything up and let people get infected" philosophy.

What exactly can a suburban government do in the face of this?
Any attempt to restrict bars would be swiftly met with a lawsuit from Tony George and his fellow bar owners.

Michael Deneen wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:When will a City leader finally tell the community the truth?

When will Lakewood get an adult on City Council?

To be fair, what exactly can the Mayor or Council do?
The President and the Governor are pushing the "everything is fine" narrative.
Cleveland and Cuyahoga leadership have been quiet on the issue, which is consent for the "open everything up and let people get infected" philosophy.

What exactly can a suburban government do in the face of this?
Any attempt to restrict bars would be swiftly met with a lawsuit from Tony George and his fellow bar owners.

Lately as I've been reading about the Mayor and Council's support for today's racial issues, I've been most supportive, but I've also been wondering what are they not paying attention to. Now it is clear to me. They need to be taking stronger stand to protect our city from Covid-19.

Certainly it is not an either/or situation, but more a matter of chewing gum and walking at the same time.

It seems to me that an attempt to restrict bars is exactly what we need in the name of public health.

At the same time, they can work toward re-prioritizing the budget dollars now dedicated to the police. Note my wording, please.

Michael Deneen wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:When will a City leader finally tell the community the truth?

When will Lakewood get an adult on City Council?

To be fair, what exactly can the Mayor or Council do?
The President and the Governor are pushing the "everything is fine" narrative.
Cleveland and Cuyahoga leadership have been quiet on the issue, which is consent for the "open everything up and let people get infected" philosophy.

What exactly can a suburban government do in the face of this?
Any attempt to restrict bars would be swiftly met with a lawsuit from Tony George and his fellow bar owners.

Mike

They could mention it to the rest of the people in Lakewood. Perhaps instead of allowing the Bullock regime (yep that's who is running council) could take a break from turning Lakewood into party town, and take a step back. The very real problem is the first shutdown hurt, the second shutdown is the killer. So that not forcing bars to comply, and to just ignore the problem will lead to a second shutdown and the failure of hundreds of businesses in Lakewood.

When I refer to adults on council, I mean one willing to speak to the people of Lakewood honestly. I mean someone willing to actually understand issues and move on them instead of worrying about what is cool and will help businesses. Lakewood politicians no longer care about the people.They care about developments, new bars and increasing the only thing they seem to understand non-stop drinking and drunk parties in the streets.

It would be nice if they at least tried to be responsible.

Dan Alaimo wrote:

Michael Deneen wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:When will a City leader finally tell the community the truth?

When will Lakewood get an adult on City Council?

To be fair, what exactly can the Mayor or Council do?
The President and the Governor are pushing the "everything is fine" narrative.
Cleveland and Cuyahoga leadership have been quiet on the issue, which is consent for the "open everything up and let people get infected" philosophy.

What exactly can a suburban government do in the face of this?
Any attempt to restrict bars would be swiftly met with a lawsuit from Tony George and his fellow bar owners.

Lately as I've been reading about the Mayor and Council's support for today's racial issues, I've been most supportive, but I've also been wondering what are they not paying attention to. Now it is clear to me. They need to be taking stronger stand to protect our city from Covid-19.

Certainly it is not an either/or situation, but more a matter of chewing gum and walking at the same time.

It seems to me that an attempt to restrict bars is exactly what we need in the name of public health.

At the same time, they can work toward re-prioritizing the budget dollars now dedicated to the police. Note my wording, please.

Dan

It costs NOTHING to be honest with the residents and businesses of Lakewood, nothing. No extra budget, no long meetings, just telling the truth. Would it be so bad if the city mentioned the area of the city that created nearly 30 new cases in Lakewood overnight? Would it be so bad to put people in that area to make sure there was compliance or at least a try.

As other cities failing as bad as Lakewood move towards mandatory masks, and more shutdowns, I would have hoped for a little leadership from elected officials. Not a run for more privileges and excuses to get money into the hands of a few, most who do not live in Lakewood.

But then the person that thought we could sell of the hospital for something cool, is running the show on council. The boy that loves to drink maybe more than life has declared us Liquorwood. Fuck the residents and their safety, their peace and quiet. He needs more places for beer.

This city has hit the skids no ideas, no plans, no truth.

One adult would do wonders.

.

Would it be so bad if the city mentioned the area of the city that created nearly 30 new cases in Lakewood overnight? Would it be so bad to put people in that area to make sure there was compliance or at least a try.

Knowledge of Covid 19 transmission must be reported to the health department.

This is a standard Public health issue and requirement.

Are you saying that this information is being withheld from the responsible agency?

If so, everyone should be outraged.

This is no different that hiding the fact that a rapist was roaming a section if the the city.

Please report this.

Bridget Conant wrote:

Would it be so bad if the city mentioned the area of the city that created nearly 30 new cases in Lakewood overnight? Would it be so bad to put people in that area to make sure there was compliance or at least a try.

Knowledge of Covid 19 transmission must be reported to the health department.

This is a standard Public health issue and requirement.

Are you saying that this information is being withheld from the responsible agency?

If so, everyone should be outraged.

This is no different that hiding the fact that a rapist was roaming a section if the the city.

Please report this.

Bridget

Then HIPAA and the law gets in the way. I have been told that even the Mayor cannot get answers to who or what homes. There was a home on Olive two months ago that everyone but two tested positive for COVID-19 when 22 year old son was rushed to hospital. All of that information is protected, and the county will not give streets or businesses outside of nursing homes.

I would say potentially more harmful that keeping a westside rapist a secret for three weeks and 2 attacks. This has the potential of serious damage is this city.

Let's pretend we are on council and only car about bars. A second outbreak could kill the town forever. Far better to be strict that screw this up.

OK let's pretend we are adults. Right now COVID-19 infects 3 for everyone case found. Some say 6. That would bring us to over 240 cases just started in the last week. 80% will be a symptomatic, but still spread the virus, and suffer long term issues with brain lesions, etc. Two thirds of the rest will show symptoms and need to see a doctor. The rest are headed to the hospital for anything from a 2-week - 16-week stay. Average price right now around $95,000. The government is not covering this as was widely reported. And the rest just die.

So the well insured only lose $500 and 12 weeks, the under insured lose $12,000, their job, home, etc. The uninsured, well screw them is the new motto at City Hall. If you cannot afford craft beer, or a good lawyer for your 2 DUIs why even consider you.

It is absurd.

.

Bridget Conant wrote:

Would it be so bad if the city mentioned the area of the city that created nearly 30 new cases in Lakewood overnight? Would it be so bad to put people in that area to make sure there was compliance or at least a try.

Knowledge of Covid 19 transmission must be reported to the health department.

This is a standard Public health issue and requirement.

Are you saying that this information is being withheld from the responsible agency?

If so, everyone should be outraged.

This is no different that hiding the fact that a rapist was roaming a section if the the city.

Please report this.

While I don't know what Mr. O'Bryan is referring to, the Plain Dealer has reported that the Cuyahoga County Board of Health has refused to comply with legitimate public records requests under Ohio law.

The City of Lakewood has every reason --Covid-19 Pandemic--to establish a new municipal department of health. That is unlikely to happen! Lakewood has been and will be slowly "regionalized".

Bull$hit on the HIPAA excuse! Not applicable.

No one is asking for names of patients but we have a right to know WHERE they got it.

If you get E. coli eating at a restaurant, you can find that info publicly. You can find inspection reports.

What’s the difference?

Bridget Conant wrote:Bull$hit on the HIPAA excuse! Not applicable.

No one is asking for names of patients but we have a right to know WHERE they got it.

If you get E. coli eating at a restaurant, you can find that info publicly. You can find inspection reports.

What’s the difference?

Bridget

It is odd. WE have an Observer that has been through it, real rough time. I asked them to go public, they have much to share. They said "no." It would seem that COVID-19 carries the same issues as AIDS, Measles, Mumps, and other things suffered early on. This is a shame, as if more people told their stories, I think the seriousness would sink in.

With no Health Department we are at the mercy of the County. It would seem that County officials have joined city officials, and President Trump in wishing away the disease. Maybe tomorrow, the numbers will go down and I will not have to say or do anything.

As we both said in January, this gets ugly, we are matching and running ahead of the 1918 Flu Epidemic. They actually had 2 peaks. We merely had a pause on our way to the first peak.

It would be so nice if elected officials were as informed on safety and science as partying and giving city assets to friends.

.

Cleveland Magazine has a short feature on the Lakewood “Truck Park.”

Picture of the inside bar showed barstools/chairs right next to each other, and full. No distancing at all at the bar.

Welcome to Lakewood, Covid-19, come right in!

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?

Kate McCarthy wrote: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.