We went to a park today in Maryland to get some fresh air and have a picnic... BAD IDEA.

[honest.abe]

The picnic tables areas were all roped off and any other tables not inside the picnic area were turned upside down. Ok, so we had a blanket in the car and decided to just have a picnic in the grass. Nope... that was forbidden also. Not entirely sure the logic of that as there were all sorts of other folks there fishing and lounging around and kids playing. How could having a family picnic be more of a risk that all the other activities going on there??

The park ranger said we had to eat in our car. Ugh.

[LisaL]

1. What were these other folks lounging around on?

[honest.abe]

5. Lawn chairs, blankets etc.

That was ok as long as they werent having a picnic.

[dameatball]

2. I know at the beaches around here they will not let anyone have chairs, coolers, etc. It is

apparently so people will keep moving.The park you are referring to may have a policy that allows it to be open for exercise but not picnics. Supposed to keep active and maintain distancing.

[rzemanfl]

4. The beach at our nearby state park will open for exercise and fishing on Monday.

I certainly hope coolers will be allowed for fish.

[honest.abe]

6. There were people sitting around on chairs reading and others fishing.

They were not "moving".

[dameatball]

8. Sounds like unequal enforcement, but if they have the picnic tables turned upside down it is pretty

obvious that they are trying to discourage multiple people sitting in close proximity. I suppose that gives them an out to not say what a specific number of people equates to.

[Tink41]

19. This is true

I read a little about this last night and was surprised. You can venture out to walk,run, ride a bike. But no lounging or inactivity. I'm sure there is a reason and difference, but I haven't figured out what.

[rzemanfl]

3. I can see not wanting people to use the picnic tables. We used one yesterday at a

County Park after scrubbing it down with soapy rags. Not being able to use your own blanket seems a bit much.

[honest.abe]

7. We have a big picnic table cover that we always use even before this issue.

But yeah, not allowing picnic on the grass seems a bit over the top.

[rzemanfl]

10. Thought about that, but figured washing the seats would be a good idea.

There is so much misinformation, disinformation and don't know out there. The only thing people seem to agree on is soap kills the virus.

[honest.abe]

11. Indeed. We also wipe off the seats with disinfectent wipes.

[rzemanfl]

12. Those have not been available here for over a month. n/t

[honest.abe]

13. My wife bought some pre-crisis.

She smartly anticipated this and was ahead of most people by about 2 weeks.

[rzemanfl]

15. We underestimated how fast we'd run out. I am using the empty containers to carry soapy rags

in now. Rubbing alcohol is also gone from stores.

[LAS14]

9. Policies aren't always rational. We have a large cemetery/arboretum near...

... us that is closed except from 4 to 6 for families visiting graves only. I sent them a photo of the sign at the entryway to a cemetery in Brooklyn! The announcement of closure said it was to allow their employees to carry out their duties safely. We've been walking there for 20 years and I don't ever remember being within 6 feet (or 20 feet!) of a worker. This policy just forces people out onto the sidewalks where they can't always keep a 6 foot distance.

[Roland99]

14. Drive to DC, or Atlanta

Apparently

[jimfields33]

16. It's good they closed off having picnics

They could never control the volume. I say no different then opening up the beach which most have not done yet. Picnics can be held in the backyard.

[honest.abe]

18. We don't have a backyard.

Volume can be controlled by max number of cars allowed to enter.

[jimfields33]

20. they probably could do that.

[Initech]

17. I went to get pizza to support my favorite pizza place last night.

Also bad idea. Drove there, waited almost 1/2 hour after the specified time. Got home, it was completely the wrong pizza that I ordered. I was, shall we say, more than a little disappointed.

[cwydro]

21. Life is difficult now.

That might be one of the better things to have happen to you.