Some Not We Are Not Ready Yet
By Dan Murphy
Over the past two Sundays, Westchester residents have had the opportunity to enjoy Bicycle Sundays, a tradition where the Bronx River Parkway is closed to auto traffic from White Plains to Scarsdale. All of Westchester’s, 9x county golf courses are now open, and this Sat-Sun? Mucsoot Farm will hold its Farmer’s Market for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Westchester, our state and our nation.
For most of us who have been complying with Stay at Home orders and wearing our masks whenever we go out, the news that in some way, we are trying to slowly re-open our county is welcome news. Westchester County Executive George Latimer explained that his administration is taking “a reasonable approach to open what we can and still maintain social distancing.”
“I traveled up and down the route for bicycle Sunday, and I found that most bikers were wearing masks, and complying with social distancing. When you ride a bike, you don’t get close to someone, and we have no bicycle clubs participating. All of our golf courses are now open, but we are not allowing basketball or football where you can’t socially distance. This is a very moderate and sensible approach. We need to maintain some semblance of reality by opening somethings. This is a middle of the road strategy,” said Latimer.
But there are some Westchester residents who believe that its too early to re-open almost any part of our county. Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner has been vocal about not opening yet. “Last week the Greenburgh Medical Advisory Committee made up of local Greenburgh Doctors unanimously recommended that the county postpone Bicycle Sunday’s. The concern: Cyclists wouldn’t practice social distancing and some people without masks could infect others. They were right.”
“I rode on side roads and took photo of cyclists biking at different locations off of the parkway. Based on my personal observations there were significant incidents of failure to socially distance and I estimated that 15-20% of the cyclists did not wear masks. On Main Street in White Plains the county police required bicyclists to stop every few minutes so cars could drive on Main Street into White Plains. If a bicyclist was forced to stop social distancing is impossible. “
“I worry – if even a small segment of cyclists infect others when participating in Bicycle Sunday’s – there is a great risk that some people can get sick or even die. That’s why we close schools, businesses, restaurants, cancel proms, work from home. I love Bicycle Sunday’s. And, came up with the idea over 46 years ago. I think holding this event during a pandemic sends mixed messages to the community that the pandemic is over. Most people who participated in Bicycle Sunday’s had a fantastic time. I hope some don’t get sick,” writes Feiner.
Before the first Bicycle Sunday of 2020, the Greenburgh Medical Advisory Committee wrote to Westchester County, and referenced two studies.
A study published in March 2020 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that, under some conditions, virus-laden droplets can travel up to 26 feet. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2763852 “There is no virtual wall at the 3 to 6 feet distance,” said the study’s author Professor Bourouiba of MIT.
There is an April 2020 Belgium-Dutch study that suggests that 6 feet of separation falls far short of what is safe when people are walking for exercise, running or cycling because of what is called the “slipstream” effect, the stream of air driven back by a person walking, running or biking. https://medium.com/@jurgenthoelen/belgian-dutch-study-why-in-times-of-covid-19-you-can-not-walk-run-bike-close-to-each-other-a5df19c77d08
Latimer spoke generally to this reporter about “undue fear. It’s easy to sensationalize. My whole purpose in opening up is there are things that you can do safely. There are sacrifices involved but you have to have freedom. It’s always a balance. If the situation does get out of control, then we will shut it down.”
Latimer said that in general, the residents of Westchester are “being good and using common sense. There is more and more compliance with social distancing and wearing a mask, but some people are stubborn. We are not going to be the behavior police.”
Recently, Latimer went to Greenburgh to meet with faith leaders and hand out masks donated by Hanes. “If you want to help the problem in your own town, this is how you do it. I’m doing my job for everyone in all of Westchester.
The debate between Latimer and Feiner is happening all over our country, and there is no right or wrong answer. Perhaps, the county police can listen to Feiner’s recommendation about not having to stop at stop lights along the Bronx River Parkway.
Other than that suggestion, those who are fearful of opening up too early also should recognize the other part of the Pandemic: The inability for all of us to function in a normal way, which leads to depression and anxiety, and not having other illnesses treated, and the increased use of alcohol and drugs. But in the end, the decision is up to each one of us. This weekend, I will be attending the Muscoot Famer’s Market with my daughter, and hopefully will be golfing soon.
Below is the release from Muscoot. Check online for tickets before you go, many of the tickets are already taken.
Weekly Farmers Market Returns to Muscoot Farm
Registration required in order to comply with social distancing. You can support local farmers and sustainability and enjoy a day at the farm, following social distance guidelines, during the weekly Muscoot Farm Farmers Market, starting Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Westchester County Executive George Latimer has announced. Advance registration is required at westchestercountyparks.eventbrite.com.
“The Farmers Market at Muscoot has been a favorite destination for Westchester residents over the years. It’s a great way to support local farmers and food producers and an opportunity to buy some great fresh foods. Our Parks Department has put in place several procedures that will make a trip to the market enjoyable while assuring social distancing,” said Latimer.
The day will be divided into six, 45-minute blocks where 30 people maximum will be allowed to shop at one time in order to maintain safe social distancing. Additional rules: Masks and gloves must be worn at all times, verification of registration (print out or phone) must be shown upon arrival, shopping time is limited to 30 minutes, though 20 minutes is encouraged. There will be one-way circulation through the market, and credit/debit card or contactless form of payment preferred; bring cash as alternative. Arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your scheduled time. Event is rain or shine.
The market will be held every Sunday through Nov. 22. Admission is free. For details, call Muscoot at (914)-864-7283. Muscoot Farm is located on Route 100 in Somers.
