I disagree strongly that our county is in a position to reopen, even partially. Unlike many other California counties, San Luis Obispo County draws thousands of tourists every summer. I already see small numbers of people flouting the safety measures. How much will this increase when hundreds of people, all looking to have a good time, land on our beaches, vineyards, and campgrounds? Opening should not be based on existing county numbers, but on the projected effects of thousands of visitors bringing the virus here from their counties. They may stay for just a few days, but the virus they leave behind could infect hundreds of locals and cause a spike in infections, with a concomitant strain on our local health care system. A serious spike in infections will necessitate a return to restrictions, worsening the effect on the economy. Vigilant locals will have to be even more careful than they are already, foregoing the pleasures and necessities that visitors will be enjoying. We are embarking on a very risky experiment. I, for one, as a county resident, do not want to pay the price of my health for the entertainment of people from elsewhere.
Johanna Rubba
Grover Beach
This article appears in May 21-31, 2020.
The level of “lockdowns” suffered throughout this pandemic may not be justified at all. Looking at Sweden’s data (note that it had no lockdown rules, other than blocking groups greater than 50 individuals. Its death rate is in the mid range of the countries in Europe, and it did not shut down its economy nor restrict the individual freedoms and responsibilities of its citizens. Instead, its leadership provided all the information and data they could to the citizens, and trusted them to use their best judgment in keeping safe. Seems much more like the philosophy of a free society which recognizes that government is frequently less competent than the citizens it serves. Certainly the current data repudiates the models and projections upon which our government originally relied for its draconian measures.
Sweden also closed high schools and universities from the start. According to Business Insider, Sweden had the most COVID -19 deaths in Europe per capita in the past week (May 20). Sweden has a much more socially cohesive society than we do here in the US so they are apt to follow guidance and rules intended for the benefit of all. They also have universal healthcare and a coordinated, national response. It isn’t easy to compare our country to one such as this. To open up in such a way here in the USA would be a disaster as many who get sick won’t seek treatment due to cost. And because we are so divided there wouldn’t be the respect and consideration of visitors coming to our area for the locals. Already Pismo Beach has been inundated with litter from take outs enjoyed by visitors over the weekend. We have practically no cases of COVID -19 here on the coast where visitors like to come and they would surely bring the virus with them. Even with our patchy and confusing “lockdowns” here in the US (we never have had any of those like other countries, ours are shelter-in-place orders which are very different) the USA has about a third of the cases in the world – and the highest number of cases and deaths with only 4% of the world population. The judgement of some free societies is more rational and science-based than our own. We are a me-first, entitled society, fearful and resentful of the perceived “other”. I fear the influx of angry and entitled summer tourists here where I am following guidance with the hope of surviving.