Despite medical experts declaring that we must enact drastic measures immediately, Mayor Jim Kenney Tweeted that people should still go out to eat as long as they practice “social distancing” and aren’t showing signs of sickness on Saturday. This is an irresponsible and problematic message from the mayor.

Medical professionals and experts have said that people who are incubating and not showing symptoms can be spreading the virus. With an incubation period of 2 days to 2 weeks, we are now at risk to rapidly spread the virus, compiled with the lack of US testing.

Governor Tom Wolf has urged business owners in Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Bucks counties to close for the well-being of their employees. All of these counties surround Philadelphia, and cases are increasing. Mayor Kenney: We must do the same. Now. This is a matter of life and death. 

We are urging:

• The City of Philadelphia to close ALL nonessential businesses. 
• The City of Philadelphia to stop requiring all nonessential government employees to report to work.
• Excuse federal government employees so they don't have to report to work in person.  
• Implement measures to support small businesses and hourly workers. 

We’re not wondering if meteorologists prediction of how many inches of snow are accurate. We have the luxury of technology. We can see firsthand, real-time accounts a couple of weeks ahead of us. Medical professionals in Italy are stating how overwhelmed their healthcare system is. Doctors must determine who gets treated and who dies. They are pleading for us to listen, and we think that a Guinness is more important than someone else’s life.   

Listen to local health experts. A Philadelphia cardiologist urged nonessential businesses to close. We now need the Mayor and Governor to mandate it.

We still need to support small businesses and hourly/low-wage workers. You don't have to have the answers right now. Thousands of small businesses will drastically be impacted by this pandemic. Consultants, freelancers and the gig economy will be taking a huge hit. Services that help our mental and physical health will be disrupted. The ripple effects will worsen if you don't act now.  

This is the time we need to be creative, support each other and get creative. Let's support small businesses by buying gift cards or sharing goods. We'll be ready to support our friends, family, community and small businesses in the upcoming months. We’ll need to come together now and moving forward.

We don't have the answers, but we have a vibrant, creative and caring community. Now is the time for innovation. (For those who create shared resources - examples from Austin here - I will update the petition to keep supporting our local community.)