A Southern California city is considering a new grading system for businesses to reassure customers that it is safe to shop and dine.
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo floated the idea of implementing a grading system that would highlight businesses following best practices to keep COVID-19 in check. The system would be similar to the letter grades restaurants already receive following a health inspection.
"This could go beyond restaurants, but people would know that if you come to Pasadena, our local restaurants and gyms and other businesses are going that extra stretch to protect the public," said Gordo.
The city has seen a steep increase in new COVID-19 cases since July.
"Since July 1, the seven-day average number of daily new cases in Pasadena has increased by over 638% (and is) now at 31 new cases per day," Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Pasadena’s chief medical officer, told the City Council on Monday, according to Pasadena Star News.
Gordo said he believes customers will prioritize businesses that are committed to customer and staff safety. Additionally, he said incentivizing businesses to ensure their employees are vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 would help
The paper reported that councilmembers Tyron Hampton, Steve Madison and Jessica Rivas voiced support for the idea at Monday’s meeting.
"I think that’s a great idea and especially for families with young children who can’t be vaccinated yet," Rivas said.
Rivas has a daughter “who has pretty much been in quarantine her whole life… so having that sign up would make it a lot easier for parents and children,” she said.
Pasadena City Manager Steven Mermell labelled the idea an "interesting concept." He said if the idea passed the city council, the city would want to get grades out quickly.
Gordo was one of the first politicians to call for mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for municipal workers for all 88 cities in Los Angeles County.
Mermell said he asked the human resources department on July 19 to develop a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for city employees. “We want city employees to be healthy. We want the public to not get ill,” he said at the time.
Since then, a number of state and local governments have issued their own vaccination mandates as well as many businesses.
Related
