Under the new Southern California “lock-down” due to the continuing ravages of COVID, I wanted to check out how the business district of Ocean Beach was handling it. Especially during the holiday-time.
Cruising down the several blocks of OB’s main commercial avenue, Newport, and out along the waterfront, I could see many people with masks on. Most had them on, but not all.
Also, most businesses were open – although under limited capacities. Most of the restaurants had customers – there were even lines at a few. Eating was only allowed outside, of course, and there were a few folks having lunch at isolated tables.
Photos by OB Staff, taken on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020.
A few businesses were definitely closed, however. That barbershop across from the OB Library was shuttered, as were a few eateries and small storefronts.
But when I reached the foot of Newport, it was a different story.
There were a bunch of canopies up and business seemed alive at some of these open-aired establishments. But many of the sellers weren’t wearing masks and there were plenty of people strolling through without them as well.
Santa and masked helper were collecting toys for tots.
Yet, Santa and his helper were there, both with masks on.
Even though there appeared to be more masks being worn on this day, the overall lack of compliance with the health rules in general was certainly disquieting. People were not observing the six foot rule – and the scene on Newport and at its foot on the green did not win any awards for embracing the necessities of the pandemic.
Not only that, I didn’t witness any county compliance officers around; no law enforcement, no county officials, doctors or politicians about.
What lock-down, I finally wondered? This day did not appear much different than those days before this last set of restrictions was imposed.
Finally, dismayed and depressed, I ended my tour of downtown OB. It will probably be months before OBceans receive any vaccine – and the community is pushing its luck right now.
This masked Santa knows who’s been naughty or nice to their fellow humans.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Not sure the community would consider many of those people part of the community.
They aren’t establishments either, they’re pop up vendors that take over the public park and even parking spots on most days, crowding the beach head and discouraging locals from going down there. They operate with impunity to laws, taxes, and covid protocols, meanwhile our local businesses following those are subject to random inspections, and are struggling and going out of business.
City council needs to pass the street vendor ordinance.
Never ceases to amaze me. Even if you are anti-mask, or think the virus is not real, how selfish do you have to be not to wear a mask, and be a bit uncomfortable for an hour or two, even if there is a chance it could save someone’s life?
Ah, altruistic logic. That’ll NEVER do!
It is just selfishness not to mask up. A visible indication of how much you value the lives of others.
NO excuses. COVID is a killer and being free and loose with your possibly infectious breath is akin to reckless endangerment.
Most anti maskers are convinced this whole thing is either a hoax, or it’s real but overblown, or that it’s real but that masks are a false protection. Others are fully aware of it’s severity but belive if they get it they will be fine and feel they have no obligation to modify their behavior for the safety of others. These are the truly selfish people but the irony is they truly in their heart of hearts feel people like us are selfish. There is no common ground to be found with these people.