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we are calling on you to immediately release all low-risk, non-violent offenders and all children released. Returning back all states and cities around the world reopening and slowing & stopping the spread of COVID-19, returning students back to in person school learning and face to face learning. Larger group of students going back to school on February 1st & March 1st 2021.
While it was reopened, I climbed several times a week at the Riverfront Rock Gym in Wenatchee, Washington. Age alone (66) puts me in a higher-risk category should I contract COVID and that has made me very conscientious about not exposing myself unnecessarily. Our climbing gym, however, was a safer environment than the occasional mandatory visit to the grocery store. The gym enforced masking (not always the case at the grocery store), visitors were naturally distanced on different climbs, and the gym has massive air flow and air filtration. The closure of this gym (and I'm sure many many others) is not being based on science but on a one-size-fits-all approach that benefits regulators. Regulators are, understandably, working to protect the public, but without greater discernment in how regulations are applied, many businesses are being forced to fail unnecessarily.
The climbing gym is an important part of our community. Climbers are health conscious and safety conscious individuals. We want our climbing gyms to survive in these trying times
Indoor climbing can be done safely during the pandemic. Climbing is a naturally distanced sport, our chalk has anti-viral properties, we are masked in an environment with good air circulation and high ceilings. This is way safer than going to a grocery store or many of the other activities we are still permitted to do. Furthermore reopening indoor climbing may help to reduce the number of inexperienced people who are venturing out into the backcountry and putting a strain on mountain rescue organizations.
Indoor climbing is not the same as sharing machines or aerobic exercise on one floor level. Climbing gyms are ventilated, climbers are spread out and distanced, and much of the activity take place above the ground. Indoor rock gyms can be part of our economic recovery. Please classify rock gyms differently from other gyms and allow them to open by January 4!
Indoor climbing is being done safely with masks and social distancing, and should be conferred different treatment from traditional gyms during this pandemic. Wild Walls in Spokane and Seattle Bouldering Project in Seattle, have both gone above and beyond to take every reasonable measure to ensure everyone's safety.
we are calling on you to immediately release all low-risk, non-violent offenders and all children released. Returning back all states and cities around the world reopening and slowing & stopping the spread of COVID-19, returning students back to in person school learning and face to face learning. Larger group of students going back to school on February 1st & March 1st 2021.