At RIBs we're actually closed right now due to (mostly) non-covid-19 reasons, but I just wanted to compliment you on your array of solutions.
I feel like this episode has thrown everyone off, all of these kinds of alternative procedures seeming unnaturally elaborate and intrusive, but that in reality all our projects were made up of artificial and complex processes anyway. So, we just design more processes. The pre-covid ones just felt more natural because we liked them better or were used to them.
Bike Farm's covid processes look pretty well rounded, especially when looking over your documents. I really like that you've broken down the critical elements for support (parts and tools to the public, refurbishing bikes, revenue creation, space care and development) and developed models for each. I also like your email thread solution for checking on unscheduled occupancy numbers, especially that you included a provision for keeping it (more) private. We've set up a similar email-thread-based checkin system for our volunteer nights.
Re: unscheduled occupancy thread, I assume yours first-come-first-serve?
Over here, before we closed (hopefully temporarily) we limited people in the space to the quantity that could be present with a 6ft distance, made all people interacting physically with the space wash or disinfect hands before touching things, and required masks at all times even when waiting out front for a slot. We're also considering getting one of those wall mounted thermometers and doing temperature checks for everyone seeking to enter the building, though that isn't required by our state or local authorities at this time. And we also kept the front door open but placed a sign (sandwich board) in front to block entry. Our sign also features a cool rotating dial that shows how many slots are available at any given time, though it's very simple and requires staff or volunteers to have the presence of mind to update it with each person leaving or entering.
We're all smart people! I know it's stressful and tragic going through all of this, but we can still figure out how to build functional systems. Good job Bike Farm!
~cyclista Nicholas
On 2020-10-20 01:24, momoko saunders wrote:
Hey all,
I'd love to get a quick update on what shops are doing for shop operations during covid. There was an awesome virtual workshop put on a few months ago. What are shops up to now?
At Bike Farm, we're still far from being open in our usual way. We have a parts selling shift for one day of the week. We meet people outside and get a list of items they want to purchase, then volunteers rummage around and find the parts and bring them out for the patron to choose from. We do not allow use of tools which is really hard but most people understand. We do have a selection of tools which we have available for sale for real cheap. This includes random loose allen wrenches, other wrenches, multi tools. Here are the guidelines for this shift https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xu3qCapSPopoQ7VbiqyG1VJdroA6WiJwBSPleTNf6QU/edit?usp=sharing .
We also have a shift where volunteers work on bikes in the shop for sale or for our community partnerships. We limit all volunteer groups to 5 people at a time, and we try to keep people in germ bubbles so that if someone does get sick, we've limited the exposure. Everyone wears masks at all times and keeps distant.
We have a 3rd night which we just added called our infrastructure night. On this night we work on cleaning the shop and making it more functional.
We have a document outlining https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EthWNOhjeo4sOQZobhrvykb_gTB4aGRKeMdiL0TUidI/edit?usp=sharing our covid protocols. I've made a copy of it for the thinktank to view. Everyone in the shop must read and agree to these guidelines before being able to volunteer.
With a vaccine looking like it will not be here and widely available till summer or even fall of 2021, we're looking for more creative ways to provide resources to the community, stay safe, and maybe make some money to pay rent. I'd love to hear if others have come up with creative ways to continue operations during this time.
Hope you all are well, -Momoko
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