The view from the Idea Center

Coronavirus has finally arrived in Ohio, hitchhiking into the state via two Cuyahoga County citizens who went on a Nile cruise in Egypt and another who attended a conference in Washington, D.C., after which several other attendees developed COVID-19.

“Don’t touch your face, Amy,” a colleague reminded me, after spotting me in “book jacket photo” pose, with my arms folded across my chest, one hand under my chin.

Yes, don’t touch your face. Wash your hands, often. Keep your distance from folks who are sniffling and coughing. And if you’re the one who’s sick,  go home and get better.

Now that I’ve dispensed with the headline (and advice) of the day, let’s talk about  the Findlay Market in Cincinnati.

Like Cleveland’s West Side Market, it has a long and storied history. It, too, is a much-loved anchor of its neighborhood.

Unlike the West Side Market, the Findlay Market is not city-run. Since 2003, it’s been managed by a nonprofit corporation. ideastream’s Rick Jackson found  many of the Findlay Market’s vendors are pleased with this arrangement and say it’s a big part of the reason the market is flourishing.

So far, the city of Cleveland is resisting a similar move. You may remember a city official  was booed by the audience  at The Sound of Ideas Community Tour last month when he said that city ownership and management was what “works best” for the West Side Market.

Take a virtual tour of the Findlay Market through Rick’s photos and story.  It may be the safest way of visiting the market until this coronavirus thing goes away.
 

See you bright and early on the radio tomorrow,
Amy Eddings

Need to KnOH

Headlines from Northeast Ohio and Beyond

• A Clevelander's Former Career Served Up In 'Paavo, A Life In Five Courses' Documentary
• The Plain Dealer Will Lay Off 22 Staff Members This Month
• Schools In Northeast Ohio Preparing For Coronavirus
• Akron Court Will Not Allow Sealed Eviction Records
• U.S. Forces In South Korea And Italy Are Told To Stay Put As Coronavirus Spreads
• Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration Rules For 3D-Printed Guns

Your ideas

We've been asking for your questions about coronavirus (keep 'em coming!) and ideastream health reporter is getting answers. Get more information on the outbreak's economic impact (including what's up with local companies like Akron-based GOJO, the maker of Purell), if the virus mutates, travel concerns and hospital preparedness, plus all our related coverage, at ideastream.org/coronavirus.

Tonight, Cleveland has dueling Democratic political rallies going: former Vice President Joe Biden is holding a rally at Cuyahoga Community College and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is gathering Northeast Ohio supporters at the Huntington Convention Center. Are you planning to attend either event? Have you made your choice between the two candidates yet? Ohio's Primary Day is March 17! Call us at  (216) 916-6476, comment on our Facebook page or join the conversation in  Public Square. We'll feature some of your thoughts and comments here in Noon(ish) and on Morning Edition.