The coronavirus and COVID-19 crisis has impacted us all in many ways. We acknowledge this is a serious public health threat, especially for those at-risk with preexisting conditions. This crisis demands responsible leadership and innovative solutions to meet the myriad challenges.

Restaurants and retail are particularly hard-hit by the economic impact of mandatory closures. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan recently saw fit to begin Phase 1 of his reopening plan, but Baltimore Mayor Jack Young decided to keep his Stay-at-Home order in place. The net effect of these actions is that government is now picking winners and losers among businesses.

WE ASK that Baltimore Mayor Jack Young and Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. proceed with Phase 1 of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan's plan to allow retail to reopen--and to go one step further: to allow restaurants to expand operations to the streets, as well.

We propose an outdoor dining solution for restaurants we call "Curbside Plus," an intermediary step between the current allowed curbside service and the next logical step (resuming indoor restaurant service). We'd like to work together with Government officials, public health policy experts, businesses, and residents to close streets to vehicles in order to create spaces for outdoor food courts featuring socially-distanced tables for a maximum of 2-4 guests. Our customers would order food and beverages as they do now, pick it up, and have the ability to eat it at tables in special these outdoor food courts.  Restaurants would be responsible for sanitizing the tables in between uses and we want to work together with government and public health policy experts to create the protocols to ensure we're not endangering the public health or safety.

This is a first, intermediate step towards reopening. It's a commonsense approach, endorsed by medical doctors, and is an idea being implemented by cities around the country and the world, as reported by the press (see below).

WE DEMAND ACTION NOW!  We want a seat at the table. If the current crisis isn't addressed ASAP, there will be no businesses left to save when the government finally acts to reopen.

https://www.wired.com/story/cities-reopen-outdoor-dining-lifeline/

https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/coronavirus/colorado-restaurant-reopening-to-include-increased-outdoor-seating-draft-guidance-coming-this-week

https://www.providencejournal.com/foodanddining/20200512/what-will-outdoor-dining-look-like-amid-coronavirus-rules

https://www.wbal.com/article/460146/21/little-italy-restaurant-owner-wants-closed-street-for-more-outdoor-dining