To the Menlo Park City Council, I'll state at the outset, that my husband and myself are physicians. We are writing regarding gardening in the time of Covid. We understand that under the ordinance restricting Construction that gardening is also restricted although it does not lay that out in specific terms. We also understand that there are problems with construction that pose a health risk - use of face masks, social distancing, building inspection. But, we fail to understand the risk imposed by a gardener that is all by him/herself cleaning a yard. The most contact that person may have would be at the gas station. There is social distancing built into the job and they do not need to use up potential health resources, ie, masks. If the argument is that just by being out, they are posing a health risk, this is nullified by the allowing of DoorDash and restaurants to continue to exist. These continue in large part in order to try to continue to provide jobs and there is much more potential contact in that job sector. Peets and Starbucks do not need to be open- they are not essential. Food can be provided and delivered by grocery stores. The Governor's call is to eliminate all non essential business. One could make the argument that gardening is essential - plant growth and waste can impose on structures, power lines, line of sight, and can clog/clutter gutters, sewers, drains, and roads. Allowing gardeners to work is at least one job sector that should be continued. How does it increase risk of spreading the virus? Please thoughtfully reconsider. With appreciation for your work, Susan and Bruce Benedick, MDs Received on Thu Mar 26 2020 - 11:25:13 PDT
