COVID-19 Update: Roads, Masks, and a Word of Encouragement

Hi Everyone.

Roads

The road reconstruction project for Gregory, Cross, Western and Copeland is scheduled to start next Monday, April 27. The contract has been awarded to Capitol Underground, Inc. There was some discussion about the start date, with the contractor wanting to start earlier, while I wondered if we shouldn't delay it a bit given the Safer At Home order.

After some consulation, we decided to stick with the orginal start date, April 27.  Starting on that date, the impacted roads will be closed, open only to local traffic and emergency vehicles.

The alley reconstruction project in Vilas will start on May 4 with Speedway Sand & Gravel as the contractor.

The road closure on Vilas Park Drive which was set up to allow for safer pedestrian and bicycle use during Covid-19 has been moved, repeatedly, presumably by inconvenienced commuters who feel like it's okay to move a road closed sign. I've spoken to MPD and asked them to monitor the situation and issue tickets if necessary.

If you are one of those who are moving these signs, I'm imploring you to stop. You do not own the road.  

Masks

Yesterday, I rode my bike to Bayview and dropped off 30 masks, the first fruits of the D13 Mask Brigade. Here's a picture of Xong, who serves with me on the Bayview Board, with our gifts in hand:

Instinctively, humans know to reach out to one another in a time of crisis. Thank you for rising to the occasion. Bayview says they need 20 more masks. If you keep making them, I'll keep delivering them!

Encouragement

I went grocery shopping last weekend at Metcalfe's. I was surprised at how many folks were not wearing masks and were not staying six feet away from other shoppers. How deeply alarming that in light of all the information out there, there is this reluctance to do what the scientists know will keep us safe.

I encourage all of you to wear masks when out in public, particularly if you are shopping. If you think this is all overblown, consider for a moment the possibility you are a silent carrier of the virus. 

The virus doesn't care what we think, only how we act. If we act in such ways as to deny its spread, we are demonstrating our love for our neighbor. After all, it is the highest moral calling to look out for others in the same way we would look out for ourselves.

Let's not grow weary in well doing, but rather reach down inside to what connects us to each other, the very best in who we are as humans.

Take care, please.

Be safe. Be smart. Be kind.

Tag