Chamber’s Town Hall Focuses on Summer, Public Health

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COURT HOUSE – As part of a series of public service webinars, the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce hosted a virtual town hall meeting May 12, dealing with the county’s strategy for restarting its tourist-based, visitor-driven economy in time for summer.
The town hall featured Freeholder Will Morey and attorney and ex-Superior Court Judge Michael Donohue, both members of the county’s Recovery Initiative Task Force. The county submitted a proposal to Gov. Phil Murphy May 5 for a phased reopening for the most critical months of the seasonal economy.
Over 400 individuals participated in the town hall, demonstrating the heightened interest with which county residents view relaxation of Murphy’s near lockdown restrictions put in place to battle the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Given that this was a Chamber event, it was not surprising that a number of the participants were small business owners who wanted insight into a reopening plan that would allow them to restart their businesses. The event also attracted participants who feared the county was moving too quickly and who sought assurances that concern for the public health would not be sacrificed for the sake of an economic restart.
Morey, who co-chaired the Recovery Initiative, took the lead in the town hall, saying that it was time to move from “a single strategy of quarantine” to a “dual strategy” that featured mitigation protocols blended with “stay-at-home aspects” for the most vulnerable members of the population. While he did not specifically define that vulnerable population, there was little doubt that he was speaking of those residents who fall into the age group that most often sees severe complications from COVID-19 infection. What goes unaddressed in that designation is the emerging evidence of other complications for young adults and even children, as medical researchers continue to learn more about the infection.
Morey said that initial reports on the proposal from the governor’s office were favorable. Although no formal reaction from the governor has yet been made public, one aspect of the county’s proposal was indirectly rejected later in the day following the town hall event.
The county had built a case for treating the South Jersey region differently, in terms of restrictions on personal movement and business activity. The basis of that approach was the relatively mild outbreak of COVID-19 in the southern counties, especially Cape May County. When Murphy gave his daily briefing May 12 concerning the state numbers of COVID-19 cases, he appeared to reject a regional strategy for relaxation of restrictions, saying that the state’s high population density mitigated against such an approach.
Morey said one aspect of public health is “tied to economic health.” He said a balanced approach to recovery was needed, one that included “a ramp to a full season” in Cape May County, where annual business revenue is heavily dependent on a few key months of business activity.
Donohue emphasized that most of the decisions on a restart rested with the governor.
“Short-term rentals, beaches and boardwalks were left to local control, but key issues, like the travel ban, the stay-at-home order, and the closure of non-essential businesses are all in the hands of the governor,” Donohue said.
While saying “there is no playbook,” no experience, with a restart like this, Morey endorsed an approach based on mitigation protocols as necessary and sensible. When asked by town hall participants about groups beginning to gather without masks, he said he believed “most people want to be part of the solution.” He spoke of guidance for social distancing in crowded areas, of the continued need for personal protective equipment, especially masks, and of the critical role of capacity management for everything from beach access to restaurants to lodging.
Pressed on how he could justify endangering more lives, Morey said he did not believe the county proposal did that.
“The science is all over the place,” he said, as he reiterated his faith in the power of mitigation protocols.
Morey’s belief in the free market’s power showed when he spoke his faith that businesses will innovate as a means of survival. “They will find a path to survival,” he said.
Morey agreed with the governor that an increased level of testing will be key to a safe reopening, and he added that the county will be ramping up testing capabilities, but he offered no specifics. He disputed the value of contact tracing, a key component in most experts’ reopening strategies.
“I don’t think it has as much value in our transitory summer population,” Morey said.
Chamber President Vicki Clark added that the Chamber was focused on playing an educational role in the county restart. She emphasized the Chamber’s attempts to warehouse and provide access to the most up-to-date best practices and industry protocols, including those identified in the county proposal.
Morey disagreed with a caller who feared the county’s single hospital could be easily overwhelmed by an opening-induced outbreak. He said the Restart Initiative proposal has strong support from the County Department of Health.
He also emphasized that hospital capacity is a regional factor. Regional medical facilities are there if “we have adverse consequences” in a reopening, he said.
Both Morey and Donohue said second homeowners are welcome in the county.
“We sink or swim together,” Morey added. He also pointed out that many second homeowners are already at the Jersey Shore.
Again pressed on how protocol requirements will be enforced, Morey spoke of education efforts, new signage, and an escalating process of encouraging compliance.
Later that same day, the county announced that it will use social distance ambassadors as circulating individuals, whose role will be to promote compliance with mitigation protocols. The escalating levels of encouragement will lead to actual enforcement “if necessary.”
In closing remarks, Donohue said the county’s priority is public safety, as he asked residents and visitors to appreciate that “everyone is trying to figure this out.” That theme that a restart of this magnitude, and in the face of a still-potent virus, is unprecedented was never far from the surface in the town hall discussion.
Agreeing that the county’s plan is traversing new ground, Morey called for continued input, expressing a desire to hear from residents, business owners and shore visitors.
He closed the town hall by reiterating his faith in the county’s proposed approach.
“When you look at the whole problem on balance, this is the appropriate direction to go in,” he said.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.