Coronavirus Q&A: Idaho Power plans to reopen some parks. When can thrift stores reopen?
Gov. Brad Little’s new plan to release Idaho businesses and people from the coronavirus lockdown in four stages has generated questions from people wondering: What does it mean to me?
We invited readers to ask questions, and on Friday we answered the first batch. We’re back today to answer a new set.
First, a few key facts:
The stay-at-home order first issued March 25 stays put until April 30.
Almost all retail stores and houses of worship would open in Little’s planned first stage, May 1 to 15. Restaurants and hair salons would open in the second stage, May 16 to 29. Gatherings of up to 50 people would be allowed in the third, May 30 to June 12. Bars would reopen in the fourth, June 13 to 26.
Now, the questions:
When does Idaho Power plan to reopen its parks?
Idaho Power operates 39 parks and campgrounds at places such as Hells Canyon, Lower Salmon Falls and Shoshone Falls. The company announced Tuesday that it will begin a limited opening of its sites on Friday, May 1.
Developed campgrounds and many parks and day-use sites will remain closed.
“We have been working on a plan to reopen these sites in a way that is safe for the public and our employees,” Fred Noland, Idaho Power’s recreation supervisor, said in a news release. “We look forward to getting everything open, but we are taking a cautious approach to make sure we have the proper protocols and training in place.”
At Hells Canyon, the Woodhead Boat Launch will be open, but no campgrounds. Dispersed campsites at Upper Brownlee will be available.
At Swan Falls, the upstream boat launch will be open, but there won’t be any park or campsite access. The downstream launch will remain closed.
At C.J. Strike, the Cottonwood Park boat launch will be open, but not the campground. The Crane Falls East, and the Loveridge Bridge North and South boat launches will be open.
In the Hagerman area,the following sites will be open: Bliss Reservoir boat launch, Bancroft S[rings day-use area, Shoestring Bridge take-out and day-use area, Owsley Bridge boat launch, Waterfront Park day-use area and Banbury Springs day-use area.
At American Falls, Trenner Park and dock will be open. The American Falls day-use park remains closed.
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When will Boise libraries, city offices and other public buildings reopen?
Discussions are underway to determine when city services can resume, Karen Boe, spokeswoman for the city of Boise, said by email. Nothing has been finalized.
“We are meeting internally on what we’re able to open and when and working to determine which services are essential, and which will need to wait until more advanced stages,” Boe said.
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What is the trigger that would cause the recovery plan to stop or reverse?
We covered this in detail in a story by Chadd Cripe and Rachel Roberts. They wrote that there has to be a downward trend of COVID-19-like illnesses over each 14-day reporting period or an average of fewer than 20 doctor visits per day. There must also be a downward trend of hospitalizations or fewer than two patients per day.
In addition, there must be fewer new coronavirus cases or an average of fewer than 20 patients per day or fewer than 5% positive laboratory PCR COVID-19 tests. (PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction, a way to examine viral RNA.)
The state must also be able to treat patients without needing to use crisis standards of care and have personal protective gear available to treat patients. And there must be a downward trend of health care workers diagnosed with COVID-19 or an average of fewer than 2 per day on average within the 14-day reporting period.
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What steps do Idahoans need to take as Little lifts his stay-home order?
The recovery plan says “all Idahoans have a responsibility to protect themselves and others.” That includes continuing to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between others, wear face coverings in public, stay home if sick, wash hands for at least 20 seconds, cover when coughing or sneezing and disinfect surfaces and objects frequently.
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When will thrift shops operated by St. Vincent de Paul, the Idaho Youth Ranch and Goodwill reopen?
All three nonprofits plan to reopen on Friday, May 1.
The Youth Ranch began accepting donations Monday at its stores and its distribution center at 5465 W. Irving St. in Boise. St. Vincent de Paul and Goodwill ask customers to hang onto donations until its stores are back open.
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When can church and other community gardens that allow families to grow their own food on a small plot of land reopen?
We don’t know.
The Statesman reached out to the governor’s press secretary, Marissa Morrison Hyer, on Friday but did not get a reply.
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How will hair and nail salons be able to open in Stage 2, tentatively set for May 16, when they cannot maintain a 6-foot distance from their clients?
That was another question we posed to Hyer, who again did not reply.
Cindy Bond-Moss, a hair stylist and nail technician at Primpin Salon in Nampa, said her salon will use a back-to-work plan from Barbicide, a company that supplies disinfectant to salons and barber shops. It recommends stylists wear masks gloves and gowns, practice strict hand-washing procedures, stagger appointment times so equipment can cleaned and disinfected after every client, and stagger seating so clients are at least 6 feet apart.
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Read the answers from our first installment of questions on Idaho’s COVID-19 recovery.
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 2:42 PM.
