Last month we noted that Plaza Escuela taped off benches in response to the coronavirus pandemic and only a short time later some of the tape has been ripped off. Looks like some people really want to get back to normalcy and are chafing at the restrictions.
This month saw the loosening of the shelter-in-place order towards outdoor activities with skate parks now allowed to operate. I dropped by a local skate park and observed about ten kids hanging out within inches of each other, none wearing face masks.
Imagine just one of these kids asymptomatically carrying the virus, spreading it to the other kids, who then go home and unknowingly spread it to their families. I guess we’ll find out in a few weeks how things are going to turn out…
A new sign recently sprouted around downtown Walnut Creek exclaiming “WE’RE OPEN – Support Walnut Creek Businesses” and it looks like thanks to the nice weather and quarantine exhaustion, more and more people are venturing out. Both Lottie’s and San Francisco Creamery had lines with people looking to get their ice cream fix outside. This is definitely the busiest I ‘ve seen downtown Walnut Creek since the quarantine began in a couple of months ago.
Photo by Unsplash user @chrisknight
In order to flatten the curve over the coronavirus pandemic, shelter-in-place orders with specific rules were put in place a couple of months ago. The order is being loosened slightly but indoor services provided by salons such as haircuts are still not permitted. Yet, as I was strolling in downtown Walnut Creek recently, I saw one barber giving a haircut to another person with yet another person, all on the older side, sitting inside. None of them were wearing masks. As I peered through the window incredulously, the barber came outside and told me he was giving a haircut to his friend.
Although this happened in the open, I’m sure this must be happening elsewhere in a more private setting. Should barbers and other salons be exempt from the Bay Area shelter-in-place orders?
With kids and families stuck at home due to the shelter-in-place orders it’s no surprise to see more and more sidewalk chalk messages of hope during the trying times of Covid-19. This one says:
Together We Will Succeed – Enjoy the Flowers – Be Kind
It seems like every time I visit Safeway and elsewhere, a new rule is in effect to combat the spread of the coronavirus during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the above photo you can see ONE WAY signs alternating directions each aisle. I waited for a cashier at the end of one aisle and another shopper told me she thought the signs were for waiting in line, but based on the wording “remember to stay 2 carts apart”, they are an attempt to force social separation which is pretty hard especially if the shopper in front of you is spending an inordinate amount of time mid-aisle and you want to pass to get something further down the aisle.
Spotted in downtown Walnut Creek.
Facial Covering Required for Branch Access
—Wells Fargo
I remember a time when facial coverings were not permitted when entering banks. My, how times have changed!
Plaza Escuela, Walnut Creek
It’s interesting to compare and contrast different shopping centers and restaurants around town. Here you can see the benches at Plaza Escuela in downtown Walnut Creek have been wrapped in caution tape with a note stating that, “due to the recent health crisis and mandates from the local authorities, this area is temporarily closed until further notice”, while a few blocks away at Broadway Plaza the benches are open and this weekend were occupied by the most amount of people I have ever seen since the shelter in place order went into effect last month. Within Plaza Escuela itself you can the patio tables at Chipotle in the background are publicly available and many times occupied.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Moraga Commons Park closed playgrounds, the skate park and recently removed the basketball hoops. However, the volleyball nets are up, even though it’s closed according to the town website. Almost every time I walk by I see people playing. Why go to the trouble of removing the basketball hoops a short distance away but leave the volleyball nets up?
It’s interesting to read the different messages retail stores have posted about closing for the coronavirus pandemic. Most post that they are “closed until further notice”. For some reason a few stores post reopening dates. Considering nobody knows when stores will be reopening there’s no point in adding a date when you’ll reopen.