Newsom expected to close all California beaches after weekend crowds

[Rae]

April 30, 2020, 2:34 AM EDT

By Andrew Blankstein and Dennis Romero

The California Police Chiefs Association told members in an email Wednesday that Gov. Gavin Newsom will announce Thursday that all beaches would be closed as of May 1 to prevent the kind of crowding seen over the weekend, when warm weather prompted thousands to flock to the Orange County coastline.

State parks are also expected to be closed.

The email, which appeared to include a memo, was confirmed to NBC News by two law enforcement sources.

"After the well-publicized media coverage of over-crowded beaches this past weekend, in violation of Governor Newsom's Shelter in Place Order, the Governor will be announcing tomorrow that ALL beaches and all state parks in California will be closed, effective Friday May 1st," the police chiefs' memo states.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/newsom-expected-close-all-california-beaches-after-weekend-crowds-n1196006

[Rae]

1. It's going to be interesting to watch the reaction to this

I have mixed feelings about this because fresh air and sunshine are important and people are going stir crazy. But packed beaches isn't the answer either. There has to be a middle ground somewhere. And the state park closures doesn't make sense to me. It should be easy to socially distance there and limit capacity if needed.

Meanwhile, stores are packed. That's a much more likely place to catch this.

[Iggo]

2. Leave it to certain OC privileged types to fuck it up for the rest of us.

Shoulda seen it coming.

[yagotme]

3. And here, in IL,

the Governor is mandating mask wearing while in public May 1. Seems that should have taken place a lot sooner. Locking the barn door after the horse done got out.