Coronavirus New Curfew - Ridiculous!

I was annoyed when I heard about the new statewide curfew ordered by Newsome that went into effect this weekend from 10 pm to 5 am.

People said, "John calm down. The only businesses it affects are the bars. It's the young people who don't wear masks and get drunk and are not cautious." When I stood outside my friend's bar in Oregon, the majority of people inside were older men. There are many types of bars

I said, "Watch this is just the beginning."

Lockdowns and curfews create anxiety. Trader Joes had a line half-way around the block this morning. Yes - around the block. My Pavilions had me wait outside for the first time in months. Toilet paper and paper towels were gone.

Today, LA County announced all outside dining will be closed effective Wednesday. Only take-out will be allowed.

Now waiters, hostesses, and bartenders have all just lost their jobs right before the holidays. Merry Christmas.

Many dining establishments have applied for permits and remodeled to provide outdoor dining or to provide more outdoor dining space. I have seen the changes in my neighborhood on my daily walks. Concrete barriers on the street to create dining areas, awnings installed, heat lamps, etc. 

California Adventure just opened its main street this weekend for shopping and dining. So much for those recently hired employees.

Someone asked me, what should we do.

I said:

• First, tell everyone to wear a mask when you are not eating.
• Second, enforce what outdoor dining is. Look at that joke of the French Laundry where Newsome was eating. Three walls enclosed by plastic. That is not outdoor dining. I have seen more and more restaurants close-in their outdoor dining spaces.
• Third, enforce the six-foot distance rule between tables in these outdoor areas. I have seen food areas getting more and more cramped as restaurants try to accommodate more diners.

But do not close all of these businesses down. Enforce the rules, so that the ones who do play by them don't have to suffer. That is how government can keep us safe. Governor, don't go the French Laundry, see the rules being abused, and laugh it all away.

I believe LA County will ban all indoor retail shopping after Black Friday weekend. If they did it this week, there would be a riot, not necessarily by the customers but by all the businesses that just stocked up on instore inventory. Imagine the financial catastrophe if California did shutdown all in-person shopping for the holidays. That would truly put the nail in the coffin of small businesses in the state.

Can't get this at take out

My Saturday in Julian was great. 90% of the people wore masks. Everyone kept their distance.

I do not understand what was wrong with the other 10% not wearing masks. Seriously, by that 10% not wearing their masks, they just cost all Californians the opportunity to eat out or get a drink.

A family member said they were walking outside near a hospital and a nurse walked right by them with their mask in their hand - not on their face. If heads of the CMA are at a large dinner party with the governor and nurses are walking around not wearing masks, perhaps I can see why the 10% don't take our "leaders" and medical establishment seriously.

But, if a small group of people continue to refuse to follow the three basic rules, we will not go back to a relatively normal life for a long time: wear a mask, social distance, and wash hands often. 

Take care and be safe.

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