Thread by @shayshinecastle

Yes, I am still here. Next: When will council return to chambers for meetings? COVID transmission is still high but falling pretty quickly.

documents.bouldercolorado.gov/WebLink/DocVie…

Apparently April 5 at the very earliest for council, and May 3 for the public. As you'll see in that presentation.

That would be for regular and special meetings only; study sessions would stay virtual.

And even in-person meetings would be hybrid, with some council members, staff and public able to participate remotely.

But we'll see what council says...

There's new CDC guidance for community risk levels, as Pam Davis is explaining. It still looks at transmission (More or less than 200 new cases per 100,000 people in the past 7 days) but also hospital admissions within each of those categories.

Actually, Boulder County's new cases per 100K ppl are under 200! So we're no longer high spread. bouldercounty.org/families/disea…

Davis: We are confident from a public health standpoint that council meetings may go hybrid as soon as a majority of council decides you are ready.

Yates points out that April 5 is a co-meeting with county commissioners to discuss the library district. If they're not OK meeting in person, he suggests, we should move back the date of that first in-person meeting.

Speer ready to get back in person, but wondering what accommodations council might make for immuno-compromised folks.

Benjamin: Transmission is still high. I still have a daughter that is unvaccinated. I think we need to strongly consider vaccination status for in-person attendance, "because you don't have a choice to social distance."

The whole under 5 population has no protection, Benjamin says.

Davis: We're well aware of status. The county did discontinue the vaccine verification program, so we would need to consult city attorneys regarding the legality.

Speer clarifying why there is a 1-month gap between council's return and allowing the public back in. That's to give staff time to work out all the bugs with a hybrid approach.

Joseph: Why are we going for April and May to return, rather than well into the summer time when transmission may be much lower?

Davis: Our recommendation is what is earliest and reasonable and possible. "We think it is doable but your discussion is what will determine what you're comfortable with."

Brockett ready to get back in person.
Friend, too: "This is largely about getting back to the best way to conduct business for the community. I don't believe this is the best way."

Generally, council agrees with this timeline for returning (subject to OK from Boulder County commissioners).

So I (might) see you in chambers in May. Yippee.

@threadreaderapp please unroll. Thanks.