10-22-2020, 01:33 PM
The front page of today's Merc had an article that surprised me - somebody actually publicly questioning Dr. Cody's dictates. The article noted that Cody "promptly rejected" - within 1.5 hours - new state rules allowing some fans to attend outdoor sporting events. The article also noted that Santa Clara county led the lockdown in March but also "has been among the slowest to reopen despite moderate outbreaks that are among the lowest of the state's urban counties."
Supervisor Ellenberg said "For seven months, we have asked for extraordinary sacrifice from our local residents and businesses. I believe we owe them in exchange - at a minimum - transparency in the decision-making processes . . ."
Cody reportedly said the state rules came as "a surprise" but she defended her decision. "It's in my judgment not safe for our community, especially now when we still have so many businesses and so many activities that have not been able to resume. We're staring down what could be a really rugged winter."
Just smh at these initial "justifications." The fact that other businesses and activities have "not been able to resume" is solely dictated by . . . Dr. Cody. Apart from that, shouldn't the inquiry be the safety of the particular activity under re-opening consideration? What other businesses are or are not doing is a non-sequitur. And "could be in for a rough winter?" C'mon now.
In fairness, Dr. Cody later said that just on percentages, if you allow 13,000 fans in the stands, then a couple hundred of them would likely be infected. And large gatherings invite too great a risk of spread. Okay, then work with the stadium folks to see if steps can be taken to mitigate risk to "acceptable levels." And apparently, there has been dialogue between 'Niners and county. But it sure appears the answer is just "no." As another county bureaucrat, Jeff Smith, said "The virus spreads rapidly in large crowds and the virus is deadly. There is no way that 'talk' will change those facts." Thanks for coming; drive home safely!
In truth, I could give a rip about fans in stands at Levi's. But I do think this article is indicative of Dr. Cody's approach to dealing with the virus, which is "lock it down and come back to me when there's a widely available vaccine." They should be working their asses off every single day to work with every business, school district, parks, etc. to see what can be done to get things closer to normal. I just think she is completely opposed to any of that - and I don't attribute it to laziness (though some might). It's fear; it's imperiousness; it's a desire when all this is done to be able to brag "we had best numbers of any big county;" . . . or something. The ROW is moving forward - or trying to. But Cody isn't; or if she does, it's only "kicking and screaming."
Again, I wonder if she even looks at the hospitalization/capacity numbers. She certainly doesn't give much meaning to them (while others - or at least one other person! - believes it's the most important number for driving policy).
P.S. The article also buttresses my acknowledged belief that everyone's "outlook" on the virus is set by personal priorities. The Supervisor complaining about knee-jerk "no" from Cody & Co. is one who has Levi's in her district. Also, the Merc probably wants to support the 'Niners as much as possible (while not giving a $hit about, for example, public schools). Thus, they're more amenable to printing stuff questioning decisions when it comes to the 'Niners than when it comes to public education. [Okay, this last one is just my cynical take on the state of MSM].
Supervisor Ellenberg said "For seven months, we have asked for extraordinary sacrifice from our local residents and businesses. I believe we owe them in exchange - at a minimum - transparency in the decision-making processes . . ."
Cody reportedly said the state rules came as "a surprise" but she defended her decision. "It's in my judgment not safe for our community, especially now when we still have so many businesses and so many activities that have not been able to resume. We're staring down what could be a really rugged winter."
Just smh at these initial "justifications." The fact that other businesses and activities have "not been able to resume" is solely dictated by . . . Dr. Cody. Apart from that, shouldn't the inquiry be the safety of the particular activity under re-opening consideration? What other businesses are or are not doing is a non-sequitur. And "could be in for a rough winter?" C'mon now.
In fairness, Dr. Cody later said that just on percentages, if you allow 13,000 fans in the stands, then a couple hundred of them would likely be infected. And large gatherings invite too great a risk of spread. Okay, then work with the stadium folks to see if steps can be taken to mitigate risk to "acceptable levels." And apparently, there has been dialogue between 'Niners and county. But it sure appears the answer is just "no." As another county bureaucrat, Jeff Smith, said "The virus spreads rapidly in large crowds and the virus is deadly. There is no way that 'talk' will change those facts." Thanks for coming; drive home safely!
In truth, I could give a rip about fans in stands at Levi's. But I do think this article is indicative of Dr. Cody's approach to dealing with the virus, which is "lock it down and come back to me when there's a widely available vaccine." They should be working their asses off every single day to work with every business, school district, parks, etc. to see what can be done to get things closer to normal. I just think she is completely opposed to any of that - and I don't attribute it to laziness (though some might). It's fear; it's imperiousness; it's a desire when all this is done to be able to brag "we had best numbers of any big county;" . . . or something. The ROW is moving forward - or trying to. But Cody isn't; or if she does, it's only "kicking and screaming."
Again, I wonder if she even looks at the hospitalization/capacity numbers. She certainly doesn't give much meaning to them (while others - or at least one other person! - believes it's the most important number for driving policy).
P.S. The article also buttresses my acknowledged belief that everyone's "outlook" on the virus is set by personal priorities. The Supervisor complaining about knee-jerk "no" from Cody & Co. is one who has Levi's in her district. Also, the Merc probably wants to support the 'Niners as much as possible (while not giving a $hit about, for example, public schools). Thus, they're more amenable to printing stuff questioning decisions when it comes to the 'Niners than when it comes to public education. [Okay, this last one is just my cynical take on the state of MSM].