The Observation Deck

June 30, 2020

Dear Lakewood Business Owners,

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with a rapidly changing situation, and with that comes uncertainty in operating a business. Yesterday, Governor DeWine called a press conference to discuss concerns over surging COVID-19 cases across Ohio. As we go into this holiday weekend, I have all the expected safety concerns about fireworks, outdoor cooking, intoxicated drivers, and more. I am also very concerned about how gatherings this weekend could result in a surge of Lakewood’s COVID-19 cases over the coming weeks.

Last month, the City of Lakewood, LakewoodAlive, and the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce partnered to create the #TogetherForBetter campaign. This campaign calls our community together to support our local businesses. Signs across Lakewood demonstrate in a visual way that our community is coming together and they also provide helpful pointers and reminders for businesses and patrons alike to stay safe and healthy through the duration of this pandemic.

I am asking business owners, employees, patrons, and visitors to please help us keep the curve flattened in Lakewood. As we continue to live amid the COVID-19 pandemic, here are a few best practices from Governor DeWine’s Responsible Restart Ohio program:

Require face coverings for employees and recommend them for clients/customers
Clean and sanitize workplaces throughout the day and between shifts
Frequent handwashing and social distancing
Ensure a minimum of six feet between patrons, employees, customers or utilize barriers


Please find industry-specific required criteria at Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio/.

For the Small Business Campaign and business-specific resources, please visit Onelakewood.com/covid19businessresources/.

For general updates on how the City of Lakewood is responding to coronavirus/COVID-19, please visit Onelakewood.com/coronavirus.

We need to work together to flatten the curve and our business community is a big partner in that effort. Let’s be part of the solution, Lakewood.

Meghan F. George
Mayor

Yes, it is a very polite letter..... to Lakewood Business Owners.
That discludes me.

I find it curious, that most everyone is hoping that the science sector comes up with a vaccine, in the hopes that life as we once knew it, might return.

Yet, when scientists recommend to hold off on reopening bars and indoor dining, to prevent a rapid spread of this highly contagious disease..... they are ignored.

While I appreciate Mayor George's politeness, we need Governor DeWine to step up and mandate masks in Ohio. There is absolutely no excuse for people to resist masks, especially considering the increase in Covid19 cases in Cuyahoga County.

I would be shocked and disappointed if Lakewood did not follow Cleveland's lead on mandatory masks by the end of the week.

The sooner the better. The sooner we get this behind us the sooner we can get back to a somewhat saner life.

.

The mayor needs to be polite. No question. I recall an interaction with her predecessor when he was far from polite and it sure didn't get him anywhere.

But the stakes are higher with Covid-19 than outdoor basketball. It's life and death for the whole city and it needs to be presented that way. Polite? By all means. Firm and uncompromising? That too.

I've had many interactions online about masks, and most of those determined not to wear them are anything but polite while I try to be civil.

The mayor needs to be polite. No question. I recall an interaction with her predecessor when he was far from polite and it sure didn't get him anywhere.

But the stakes are higher with Covid-19 than outdoor basketball. It's life and death for the whole city and it needs to be presented that way. Polite? By all means. Firm and uncompromising? That too.

I've had many interactions online about masks, and most of those determined not to wear them are anything but polite while I try to be civil.