This is an open letter to the Directors and members of the Rowan County Wildlife Association (RCWA).
The Directors closed RCWA's property effective at the exact time Governor Cooper's Executive Order #121 went into effect at 5:00pm on Monday, March 30th. A copy of the closure notice is provided below.
The explanation for closing RCWA is vague and inadequate.
The Directors say "we" are unable to follow the guidelines required to remain open and then declare "People on the range are not taking it (social distancing guidelines) seriously." The Directors apparently decided the actions of members and guests (and people in stores in Salisbury) under the social distancing suggestions in Executive Order 117 (provided below) indicated members were not responsible enough to follow mandatory social distancing requirements there were to go into effect with Executive Order 121 (provided below).
How did the Directors determine people were not social distancing at RCWA? Did the Directors approach and ask people closer than 6 feet apart if they were family or household members exempt from distancing (see EO#121 below)? I seriously doubt it.
The Directors also stated "Some have offered suggestions that might work" to keep RCWA open. How and when did the Directors communicate with members about issues involving keeping RCWA open? And how, when, and from whom did the Directors ask for or receive ideas to keep RCWA open? Or did the Directors simply decide among themselves that members would not "take responsibility for themselves and others" and RCWA had to be closed?
RCWA's members deserve a much more detailed -and respectful- explanation of the Directors' decision to close RCWA.
Without a very compelling explanation, which is in no way apparent at this point, RCWA should be immediately re-opened or all members should receive a refund of 1/12th of their annual dues to compensate for losing the use of RCWA's facilities.
The Directors closed RCWA's property effective at the exact time Governor Cooper's Executive Order #121 went into effect at 5:00pm on Monday, March 30th. A copy of the closure notice is provided below.
The explanation for closing RCWA is vague and inadequate.
The Directors say "we" are unable to follow the guidelines required to remain open and then declare "People on the range are not taking it (social distancing guidelines) seriously." The Directors apparently decided the actions of members and guests (and people in stores in Salisbury) under the social distancing suggestions in Executive Order 117 (provided below) indicated members were not responsible enough to follow mandatory social distancing requirements there were to go into effect with Executive Order 121 (provided below).
How did the Directors determine people were not social distancing at RCWA? Did the Directors approach and ask people closer than 6 feet apart if they were family or household members exempt from distancing (see EO#121 below)? I seriously doubt it.
The Directors also stated "Some have offered suggestions that might work" to keep RCWA open. How and when did the Directors communicate with members about issues involving keeping RCWA open? And how, when, and from whom did the Directors ask for or receive ideas to keep RCWA open? Or did the Directors simply decide among themselves that members would not "take responsibility for themselves and others" and RCWA had to be closed?
RCWA's members deserve a much more detailed -and respectful- explanation of the Directors' decision to close RCWA.
Without a very compelling explanation, which is in no way apparent at this point, RCWA should be immediately re-opened or all members should receive a refund of 1/12th of their annual dues to compensate for losing the use of RCWA's facilities.
RCWA Closure Notice
Due to the COVID-19 situation the Board of Directors has decided that it is in the best interest of our members and guests, and to avoid the protentional liability that may be incurred, to close the range until state restrictions are lifted. The decision has not been any easy one but we are unable to follow the guidelines required as the BOD understands them to remain open.
All activities will be suspended including member use of the range, matches, and shotgun fields.
While this situation is being overblown by the news media, it is hard to separate the truth from fiction. But people are not taking the social distancing guidelines seriously. People on the range are not taking it seriously. Stores is Salisbury were packed this weekend. Is it really worth ignoring the guidelines if it puts you at risk of infecting your spouse/kids/parents or other family members?
Many places have shut down due to the inability to follow the guidelines; National Forests, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway, campgrounds, city and county parks and greenways, NC Wildlife shooting ranges and other gun ranges.
Some have offered suggestions that might work if people would take responsibility for themselves and others. Unfortunately that is no longer the world that we live in.
All gate access cards will be deactivated and WILL NOT open the gate beginning at 5:00pm on Monday, March 30th.
State of North Carolina Executive Order No. 117 (March 14, 2020)
Section 3. Social Distancing
In coordination with the State Health Director and alignment with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all persons are urged to maintain social distancing (approximately six feet away from other people) whenever possible and to continue to wash hands, utilize hand sanitizer and practice proper respiratory etiquette (including coughing into elbow).
State of North Carolina Executive Order No. 121 (March 27, 2020)
Section 1. Stay at Home
1. Stay at home or place of residence.
... To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces when outside their residence, they must at all times and as much as reasonably possible, maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet from any other person, with the exception of family or household members, consistent with the Social Distancing Requirements set forth in this Executive Order.
3. Leaving the home and travel for Essential Activities is permitted.
For purposes of this Executive Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following Essential Activities:
iii. For outdoor activity.
To engage in outdoor activity, provided individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements and Mass Gatherings, as defined below, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, running, golfing, or biking. Individuals may go to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas.
Section 2. COVID-19 Essential Businesses and Operations
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, it is necessary to reduce the instances where individuals interact with one another in a manner inconsistent with the Social Distancing Requirements set forth below. Many of the interactions occur at work. At the same time, it is necessary that certain businesses, essential to the response to COVID-19, to the infrastructure of the State and nation, and to the day-to-day life of North Carolinians, remain open.
C. For the purposes of this Executive Order, a COVID-19 Essential Business and Operation includes the following businesses, not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions.
2. Business operating in CISA identified sectors.
Businesses, not-for-profit organizations or educational institutions in the federal critical infrastructure sectors as outlines at https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19 or any subsequent guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that amends or replaces said guidance.
Section 7. Effective Date
This Executive Order is effective Monday, March 30, 2020, at 5:00pm ...
Federal Classification of Shooting Ranges
Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19
Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce
LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS
Workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges.
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