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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-15Resolution 2020-15 Resolution Urging Governor Northam to Reopen the Commonwealth Regionally WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, Governor Northam issued Executive Order Fifty -One declaring a state of emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia arising from the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and, WHEREAS, Executive Order Fifty -One acknowledged the existence of a public health emergency which constitutes a disaster as defined by Virginia Code § 44-146.16 arising from the public health threat presented by a communicable disease anticipated to spread; and, WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency, beginning March 1, 2020, in response to the spread of COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, on March 21, 2020, Mayor David L. Clark acting under the authority granted under Chapter 30, Article II, Section 30-33 of the Code of Ordinances, Town of Pulaski, proclaimed than an emergency existed in the Town of Pulaski as a result of the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus among the population of the Town; and, WHEREAS, on March 31, 2020, the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia ratified and confirmed the Mayoral Proclamation of March 21, 2020, which found that an emergency did exist throughout the Town of Pulaski, Virginia as a result of the potential spread of the COVID- 19 virus among the population of the Town; and, WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order Fifty -Three (further amended on April 15th) ordered the closing of schools; limiting gatherings of 10 or more people; limited restaurants, dining establishments, and other similar food and drink establishments to close except for delivery and take-out services; closed all public access to recreational and entertainment businesses (including beauty salons, barbers, etc.); defined essential businesses; and defined non-essential businesses for closure unless for pick- up services; and, WHEREAS, on March 30, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order Fifty -Five ordered all Virginians to remain in their place of residence thru June 10t' with few exceptions dependent upon social distancing of six feet; closed institutions of higher education; ceased overnight campgrounds of less than 14 nights, and closed public beaches; and, WHEREAS, on April 17, 2020, President Trump, upon the recommendations of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, unveiled the guidelines for Opening Up America Again with an encouragement for Governors to consider allowing businesses to reopen in phased stages with appropriate public health safeguards; and, WHEREAS, a primary reason for closing businesses and the stay at home order was to avoid a virus spike that could overwhelm the hospitals, health centers, and the public health system; however, the growth rate trajectory of the virus in terms of daily reported cases has decreased, therefore these orders have accomplished much of the original intent; and, WHEREAS, varying regions of the Commonwealth have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus in differing manners both from a public health and economic perspective; and, WHEREAS, the Town of Pulaski is located within the New River Health District (NRHD) consisting of the Counties of Giles, Montgomery, Floyd, Pulaski and the City of Radford, and, WHEREAS, the most recent population estimates indicate that the area comprising the New River Health District has 183,280 residents, and, WHEREAS, based upon data collected by the Virginia Department of Health through May 5, 2020, the New River Health District has 80 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection, resulting in 12 hospitalizations and 1 death, and, WHEREAS, as of May 6, 2020 there were hospital beds available within the New River Health District located at Carilion Giles Community Hospital, Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, Lewis Gale Hospital Montgomery and Lewis Gale Hospital Pulaski, and, WHEREAS, the New River Health District has been operating a mobile drive through testing. facility since March 31, 2020 and Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC has been approved for and provides rapid testing capability for residents of the New River Health District, and, WHEREAS, the New River Health District is able to and has been performing contact tracing as needed, and, WHEREAS, localities within the NRHD are actively preparing businesses for re -opening by providing information on means by which businesses can safely open and reduce risks to customers and the public; and WHEREAS, a uniform, one size fits all approach to closing "non-essential" businesses and retail ' should consider regional variances, especially the impact of closing businesses on rural areas who have significantly less COVID-19 cases per capita than metro areas; and, WHEREAS, from March 14th through April 25th localities within the New River Health District saw 9,603 new unemployment claims filed, the vast majority of which are the direct result of Executive Orders that allow large retailers to remain open and profitable while small businesses who operate on minimal budgets are disproportionately forced to close and may not be able to ever reopen unless the current executive orders are modified; and, WHEREAS, after nearly two months of intense public education by the federal, state, and local governments as well as all media outlets; citizens and businesses alike have a much better understanding and appreciation about how best to demonstrate healthy and safe practices for conducting their business; and, WHEREAS, businesses should be allowed to open while being cognizant of and actively practicing public health guidelines in order to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 by using tools as social distancing, face masks, consistent sterilization of common touch points, and limiting the number of patrons per square foot; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia sitting. in regular session this 6th day of May, 2020 that the Town Council recognizes the importance of the COVID-19 public health crisis and is concerned about not only the health of its' citizens, but also their economic well-being and their rights guaranteed under the Virginia and United States constitutions; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Council urges the Governor to consider the aforementioned statistics and relevant facts in considering opening the Commonwealth regionally based on such information; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Council strongly believe that allowing business owners to open under necessary health guidelines so customers can adjust accordingly is better than keeping the majority of small businesses closed altogether; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Council strongly urges the Governor to immediately rescind prohibitions related to closing businesses cited in Executive Order#53 and #55 and allow these "non-essential" and retail businesses to open under specific COVID-19 health practices. This resolution is effective upon adoption and is hereby adopted this 6th day of May 2020 by the duly recorded vote of the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia as follows: Lane R. Penn Brooks R. Dawson Gregory C. East ATTEST: la2 David N. Quesenber y Clerk of Council -Aye Joseph K. Goodman -Aye -Aye G. Tyler Clontz -Aye -Aye James A. Radcliffe -Aye THE TO PULASKI, VIR B avid L. Clark Mayor