Three of the Spokane City Council’s seven members were home sick but called in to Monday’s committee meeting by phone.

The topic? If, in the face of coronavirus and advice from health experts to limit public gatherings, should the City Council continue to hold in-person meetings?

By phone, Councilwoman Karen Stratton argued that the council could continue to operate as-is as long as it limited the number of people in council chambers.

“I don’t see a big need to change too much, but my head is – I could be fuzzy and not thinking this through correctly,” said Stratton, who was home sick.

Also phoning in from home was Councilwoman Lori Kinnear, who urged caution.

“People, if we take it seriously, they may take it seriously,” Kinnear said.

Councilwoman Kate Burke, also participating remotely, expressed concern for at-risk members of the public with compromised immune systems and advocated for overcompensating, if necessary, to help stem the spread of the virus.

But Councilwoman Betsy Wilkerson worried about the council separating itself from the community, especially those who are still working.

“If we are cautious as much as possible, I think we should be here. I don’t think we should set ourselves (from) the people who are working every day,” Wilkerson said.

At the epidemic of the domestic coronavirus outbreak in Seattle, the Seattle City Council has canceled committee meetings and begun holding full council meetings remotely.

Thus far, the Spokane City Council has not outright canceled any of its meetings. It has, however, taken steps to limit public involvement at its meetings and must limit occupancy to fewer than 50 people to comply with Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency order.

On Monday, the council moved its legislative agenda to its afternoon briefing session, a last-minute move aimed at reducing public attendance. At its Finance and Administration Committee meeting earlier Monday, chairs in the council’s briefing room were spaced six feet apart, and a limited agenda resulted in fewer city staffers crowding the room.

But, as of now, the council still plans to hold its March 23 meeting.

Councilman Michael Cathcart, a consistent advocate for open government, urged the council to ensure the public has the ability to participate, regardless of how the council chooses to proceed with its meetings.

No matter what it does, Stratton insisted the council be “consistent.”

“I don’t want people to think we’re checking out completely because of the virus,” Stratton said.