Why are we closing libraries but not bars?
Library books are a critical resource for residents, especially at this time of less human contact. Bins of returned books at libraries show the range of those using our libraries – children’s books, young adult novels, research books, novels and more.
The city has just announced that contactless book pickup will stop at all Cambridge libraries for at least two weeks due to the pandemic. At branch libraries, staff stayed inside buildings and accepted library cards and distributed books to those waiting outside, never coming close and having no physical contact. Meanwhile, the city manager has allowed bars, gyms and indoor dining to continue. This makes no sense.
The city manager continues to allow business interests to dictate policy while withholding needed social services for residents. Science should drive city policy.
Reopen our libraries for contactless pickup!
Susan Yanow, Norfolk Street
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Politics continues to take precedence over science. What is the risk level for librarians? For patrons? How is that determined? Why use tax dollars to support businesses that increase the likely hood of spreading the virus when we close social services that enhance the ability to function at home? We deserve to know why these decisions are being made!
The Manager’s response to the question tonight was pretty hostile to my ears. Essentially, he said that infections were increasing among city staff and city residents, and the numbers were alarming enough that he decided that it was necessary to close all city offices to the public immediately. He acted very insulted that anyone dared question his judgment. I wish that he had been willing to give some indication of whether the increases were spread relatively evenly throughout city offices or more concentrated in some places than others. Information like that can help people understand why a decision has been made, and not providing it tends not to make people feel better about a decision.
When I heard about the libraries, my reaction was like yours. The contactless pickup setup seemed about as safe as anything I could imagine. The Manager referred to long lines, but I have not experienced those, even when the main library was the only place you could go.
Still the lack of shutting down gyms, bars and other licensed businesses that increase spread risk is not being addressed and is a clear and present danger to everyone.
I understand the distress regarding the closing of libraries etc. but if they have staff shortages due to infection among the staff its obvious that it also needs to be done.
The reluctance of the Manager as well as the Governor to Enforce rules on businesses has been constant and is why we are in such trouble in the state. People don’t quarantine when they come in from out of state and there is no enforcement there either. They need to be fined for all violations.
This man is a disaster for the city and makes me want to move. We are now in May 2021, it’s been 14 months. What’s his excuse today? Most of us are vaccinated, Covid cases are extremely low, and we’re all willing to wear masks. There is no excuse. This City Manager is truly out of touch with–or simply does not care about–the needs of his tax-paying citizens. Perhaps I would feel the same way if I made 300K and could essentially have my own *private* library. Oh, Cambridge…