I agree that this is a problem. I was wondering if logistically, the city could either (1) close part of State St. to cars (either all day, or during prime dining hours) or (2) Make State St. single-lane during prime dining hours. It seems that either of these solutions could allow businesses to thrive with outdoor dining without subjecting pedestrians to be uncomfortably close with unmasked people.

I just mentioned this idea to a friend on a walk today and he thought it ridiculous. The idea of one-way streets like they do one-way grocery stores isles I’m told.
Maybe it would force people to use their cars less and walk more which no one would be happy with so…

State Street is a state highway and therefore needs to remain open for emergency vehicles. You know, like when you or a loved one is dying of a heart attack as recently happened to a close friend of mine. I agree that these tables are closer to the general sidewalk area than one would like, so I have a tendency to walk in an alternate route

Why was my constant flagged?? I offered viable solutions to these otherwise baffling dilemmas

Hi Britches,

It wasn't blocked by a person. It was blocked by the SeeClickFix content filters. That happens if there any words on their list of words to block. It also happens if too many website addresses or email addresses are included in the comment.

Their content moderators will review your comment and unblock it, if it doesn't violate anything in their Terms of Use. The content moderators work Monday through Friday.

Dear State Street Pedestrian,

As one of the business owners on State Street I am very offended and quite outraged at your post.
I’m curious exactly what your point was in writing this because you offered no advice or suggestions on how to fix YOUR problem.
Yes, people who are dining outside can sit down and take their masks off to eat and drink. YOU as a pedestrian walking by have the right to wear a mask. If you are wearing YOUR mask, then what exactly is the issue here? YOU are protected, correct?
Would you like the city to shut down all the businesses on State St. so that you can freely walk down the street with no other people around? Would that make you happy? The businesses on State St. are barely getting by. Indoor dinning is not only at half capacity, but we are still not allowed to open our bar areas. At this point outdoor dining is our only way to make some money, and even doing that we are still not profitable!

Before writing a post like this please think about the business owners and their many employees who rely on a paycheck to feed their families. We would like to apologize if trying to make a living has inconvenienced you.

I think you missed the idea of op’s post.
We can walk six feet apart from your customers. Masks or not.

-We can’t.
That’s the point.
I don’t want want to be a foot from a stranger with a mask if I’m not even seeing my family that close up.

Thanks for letting us know about this concern. We’re looking into it now and determining the best response. In the meantime, we strongly encourage you to check out the city’s crisis hub at https://covid19.newhavenct.gov/ where you’ll find all current information about COVID-19 in New Haven. You can also call (203)946-6316 for non-emergency issues or (203)946-4949 for health concerns. In the event of an emergency always dial 911.

see above