People crowd the beach Thursday, April 30, 2020, in Huntington Beach, Calif. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered beaches in Orange County to close until further notice amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 3:51 PM PT — Thursday, April 30, 2020
California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered all beaches in Orange County to close after crowds defied public health guidelines last weekend. At his daily coronavirus briefing, Newsom explained beachgoers could accelerate the spread of coronavirus in the state.
NEW: CA has 48,917 confirmed cases of #COVID19:
+5.2% from yesterday.3,497 of those are in hospitals:
+0.1%.1,192 of those are in the ICU:
+0.5%.Your actions impact others. CA’s flattening the curve but we MUST continue to take this seriously. #StayHomeSaveLives
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 30, 2020
The decision to close only the Orange County beaches came in contrast to reports that Newsom planned to close all parks and beaches in the state.
#NEW: California Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to announce that all beaches & state parks must close beginning May 1.
This, after people crowded Orange County beaches last weekend. pic.twitter.com/PNAqlWoouP
— Chloe Salsameda (@ChloeSalsameda) April 30, 2020
“Orange County’s been on our list of health concerns. They’ve done a wonderful job down there, I just think we can tighten that up a little bit. So, we’re going to have a temporary pause down there on state and local beaches. We want to work very closely with local elected officials, and we’re committed to doing that.” – Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
Newsom added he hopes the order doesn’t last very long, but said he had to do it to protect the public’s health.
In this Saturday, April 25, 2020, photo, crowds pack the beach in Pismo Beach, Calif., on the state’s Central Coast. Many were not using proper social distance, but a few were wearing masks.(Laura Dickinson/The Tribune (of San Luis Obispo) via AP)
Republican Darrel Issa, who is running in the state’s 50th district, slammed the decision on Twitter, saying Newsom is making a mistake. The former congressman said he trusts Californians to practice good social distancing and added Newsom should too.
I believe @GavinNewsom is making a mistake re: CA beaches. We need to give Californians more options to lead healthy lifestyles. I trust our people and local officials to maintain proper social distancing at our beaches and so should their Governor. https://t.co/2dHPnyvLsm
— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) April 30, 2020
“He’s not getting it,” said Issa. “The idea that he would reverse rather than control the opening of the beaches and parks, put people back into their homes, back into a condition that is unsustainable, I’m just flabbergasted.”
He emphasized he is not suggesting a free-for-all for California, but rather a responsible, practical approach to addressing the pandemic.
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer also weighed in, suggesting a statewide closure of beaches would have sent “the wrong message to regions where people are acting responsibly.”
San Diegans have been following the rules set by our public health officials and lifeguards since beaches reopened this week. A sudden state ban on every single beach — regardless of the facts on the ground — sends the wrong message to regions where people are acting responsibly. https://t.co/CLJkPgEGlx
— Kevin Faulconer (@Kevin_Faulconer) April 30, 2020
Following Newsom’s announcement, he reassured residents that San Diego’s beaches would stay open and added “the governor heard us.”
Great news: the Governor heard us. San Diego beaches WILL STAY OPEN under our plan approved by lifeguards and health officials. In a time of great crisis we don’t need knee-jerk policies. We need to keep a steady hand. It’s the only way to keep the public’s trust. Keep it up, SD!
— Kevin Faulconer (@Kevin_Faulconer) April 30, 2020
Author: Michael
Handsome Devil..... and Smart too.
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