Please sign this petition to help influence the temporary closure of Smith Rock State Park

Chris, although you may mean well, this is not a productive use of a petition.  I WHOLLY support a strict interpretation of social distancing and support methods to reduce transmission, however, closing the park is not the answer.  People need to get out in the Spring and be in the outdoors for their own personal well-being.  I see no reason for family members not to be able to use the park to hike, bike or climb.  Climbing with your friends or relatives you do not live or are not "socially close" to (spouse, children etc.) should not happen - It should be the personal responsibility of the individual to maintain proper protocols and do what you can to protect yourself and the community.
If you consider the relative risk of getting/passing this virus by climbing outdoors in a safe, socially-distanced way to, say, using the basket at the grocery store, picking up that can of soup the night stock person coughed all over, touching the hand rail on the stairs, using the pen at the post office, using the credit card touchpad, it seems insignificant.  If you feel like someone may have contaminated the holds or even if you don't, wash/disinfect your hands after climbing (and the aforementioned activities!)   You are not going to get sick unless you are touching sensitive areas (nostrils, eyes, mouth)  with contaminated hands.
Regarding travel, here I agree to some extent - We don't need the park to become a recreation magnet for the West if other states have restrictions.   Perhaps close the park to out-of-state license plates fining each car?
In summary, take responsibility and protect yourself.  

James Witowsky wrote: Chris, although you may mean well, this is not a productive use of a petition.  I WHOLLY support a strict interpretation of social distancing and support methods to reduce transmission, however, closing the park is not the answer.  People need to get out in the Spring and be in the outdoors for their own personal well-being.  I see no reason for family members not to be able to use the park to hike, bike or climb.  Climbing with your friends or relatives you do not live or are not "socially close" to (spouse, children etc.) should not happen - It should be the personal responsibility of the individual to maintain proper protocols and do what you can to protect yourself and the community.
If you consider the relative risk of getting/passing this virus by climbing outdoors in a safe, socially-distanced way to, say, using the basket at the grocery store, picking up that can of soup the night stock person coughed all over, touching the hand rail on the stairs, using the pen at the post office, using the credit card touchpad, it seems insignificant.  If you feel like someone may have contaminated the holds or even if you don't, wash/disinfect your hands after climbing (and the aforementioned activities!)   You are not going to get sick unless you are touching sensitive areas (nostrils, eyes, mouth)  with contaminated hands.
Regarding travel, here I agree to some extent - We don't need the park to become a recreation magnet for the West if other states have restrictions.   Perhaps close the park to out-of-state license plates fining each car?
In summary, take responsibility and protect yourself.  

There’s 15.4 million acres of publicly accessible BLM land in Oregon, you have other options. And unfortunately a closure like the one done in Moab with closures to non-locals would be impossible here..

 Yes the chances of getting the virus those ways are high, if there was an outbreak in town, which there has not been yet.

But the chances of a college student traveling here with it, and giving it to everyone they come in contact with out at Smith is, a very high chance of transmission.

Edit: and all this reassurance during a time when the Coronavirus is growing at the fastest rate in the world, in this country. I can assume you’re not a doctor or MD or any kind. So yeah, moot points forsure. I like to trust what the WHO and CDC have to say. 

Chris Hatzai wrote:

But the chances of a college student traveling here with it, and giving it to everyone they come in contact with out at Smith is, a very high chance of transmission.

Not really supported with data, Chris.  Protect yourself, don't close the park.

James Witowsky wrote:

Not really supported with data, Chris.  Protect yourself, don't close the park.

Data? Try first hand experience. A young friend, in college, traveled here from Colorado because he’s out of school, escaping the virus, and the weather was good here. Along with a bunch of other young people currently here. 

Sorry if you don’t know other spots to climb around here...

edit: 

I can‘t post anymore at this time but you’ll definitely be one of the first ones to bite the bullet James. In your 50s, willing to take your chances amongst the masses. Pretty sure that’ll be Darwinism at it’s finest.

And again sorry if Smith is your only place to go climbing. Maybe you should explore our backyard. Tons of climbing around here, just gotta find it.

Chris Hatzai wrote: There’s 15.4 million acres of publicly accessible BLM land in Oregon, you have other options. And unfortunately a closure like the one done in Moab with closures to non-locals would be impossible here..

 Yes the chances of getting the virus those ways are high, if there was an outbreak in town, which there has not been yet.

But the chances of a college student traveling here with it, and giving it to everyone they come in contact with out at Smith is, a very high chance of transmission.

Edit: and all this reassurance during a time when the Coronavirus is growing at the fastest rate in the world, in this country. I can assume you’re not a doctor or MD or any kind. So yeah, moot points forsure. I like to trust what the WHO and CDC have to say. 

Chris you're mixing arguments and not being logical   The WHO and CDC says exactly what I am saying: personal responsibility via means stated earlier.  They have not said anything about closing Smith.

Dan Daugherty wrote:

You're missing the point. I don't want to climb there and probably never will in the future. You're telling people that it should be closed but it's ok for you and you're friends to go there. Pot calling the kettle black.

Jesus, you have zero clue wtf is going on in Oregon. Fuck off. And no a huge portion of the local climbing community here is NOT going anywhere near Smith. I haven’t been out there for almost a week now, same with a lot of locals here. 

Too many asshats like yourself are still traveling here thinking this virus is not a big deal. You do see the travel restrictions to Jtree, Bishop, Moab, RRG, NRG, more def to come... you’re not that dumb right? Seriously..?

Chris Hatzai wrote:

Data? Try first hand experience. A young friend, in college, traveled here from Colorado because he’s out of school, escaping the virus, and the weather was good here. Along with a bunch of other young people currently here. 

Sorry if you don’t know other spots to climb around here...

edit: 

I can‘t post anymore at this time but you’ll definitely be one of the first ones to bite the bullet James. In your 50s, willing to take your chances amongst the masses. Pretty sure that’ll be Darwinism at it’s finest.

And again sorry if Smith is your only place to go climbing. Maybe you should explore our backyard. Tons of climbing around here, just gotta find it.

Ah yes, the green plates, scourge of the earth!

Thanks guys I got enough signatures to get my paid time off. I'll be seeing you all at smith very soon!

I’m reminded of a Benjamin Franklin quote:

Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety

Jason Schmidt wrote: I’m reminded of a Benjamin Franklin quote:

Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety

When the going gets tough, the tough go to France.

Ben Franklin

Jason Schmidt wrote: I’m reminded of a Benjamin Franklin quote:

Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety

It’s great being a rich white guy

Jason Schmidt wrote: I’m reminded of a Benjamin Franklin quote:

Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety

Yeah...this quote doesn't mean what you think it means. In fact, ol' Benjy was arguably making the opposite point. The liberty he sought to preserve was the ability of a self-governed people to act collectively through their elected representatives (in his case the collective action was taxing the rich to fund collective military defense). Kind of like elected government officials taking action here in an effort to provide collective defense against a dangerous virus.

More here: lawfareblog.com/what-ben-fr…

Cody M wrote: Thanks guys I got enough signatures to get my paid time off. I'll be seeing you all at smith very soon!

I have felt for years now we as a community need to be more like surfers. Kick this kook off your break boys

Rob WardenSpaceLizard wrote:

I have felt for years now we as a community need to be more like surfers. Kick this kook off your break boys

See you in the line up, brah

a Ball wrote:

Yeah...this quote doesn't mean what you think it means. In fact, ol' Benjy was arguably making the opposite point. The liberty he sought to preserve was the ability of a self-governed people to act collectively through their elected representatives (in his case the collective action was taxing the rich to fund collective military defense). Kind of like elected government officials taking action here in an effort to provide collective defense against a dangerous virus.

More here: lawfareblog.com/what-ben-fr…

Fuckin mic drop

Another signature--this one from Closed California.  I'm the most restless climber there is, and yet I feel it's a good time for ALL to lay low and try to let this pass.  Close Smith Rock!

Bill Lundeen wrote: Another signature--this one from Closed California.  I'm the most restless climber there is, and yet I feel it's a good time for ALL to lay low and try to let this pass.  Close Smith Rock!

Thanks Bill.. and ditto. I log 120+ days a year annually at Smith and have for years now.. I’m one of the last people who wants to see our beloved park close... But if that means protecting everyone back here in the small towns surrounding Smith then yeah, no brainer.

All Oregon State Parks are closed starting tomorrow.

a Ball wrote:

More here: lawfareblog.com/what-ben-fr…

Wow, that was pretty eye opening.  Thanks for the link.