Back to the Future … Newsom Shutters Malls, Hair salons, Gyms, Houses of Worship again
By Terry Miller
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. From early spring into summer it appears our lives are somewhat akin to a game of yo-yo. The frequent ups and downs are so disruptive that the average business ,which is literally hanging on by a thread, might not survive this pandemic roller coaster.
With the ever-growing surge of the Covid-19 virus across the state of California and other key states, it was only a matter of time before mandates, closures and perhaps another lockdown looked likely..
Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday mandated Los Angeles County, to close all indoor activities at fitness centers, places of worship, offices for non-critical sectors, personal care services, such as hair salons and barbershops, and indoor malls. 30 other counties have also received the mandate.
In addition, he ordered all counties to close indoor operations at restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertaining centers, museums, zoos and card rooms, and ordered all bars shuttered across the state.
The new restrictions take effect immediately.
The announcement comes as coronavirus cases continued to surge statewide and as positivity rates, now up to 7.4% in California, are also on the rise.
“The data suggests not everybody is practicing common sense,” Newsom said.
As of Monday, there were 326,187 confirmed coronavirus cases across the state, with 7,053 deaths.
He explained that until there is a vaccine or effective therapy to treat COVID-19, the state will be working on mitigating the spread of the virus for the long term and that residents statewide have to adapt to new behaviors.
Though the rollbacks do not yet include schools, districts are racing against time to open in August despite professional consensus that says physical schooling should not even be considered.
California Teachers’ Association say “From the moment we pivoted to digital learning last Spring, the health and safety of our students has been our top priority and continues to be. We cannot reopen schools until it is safe. With the ongoing surge in COVID-19 infections, we must take the most preventative action in the face of uncertainty to protect students, educators, and our communities,” said CTA President E. Toby Boyd. “We are eager to be back with our students, but the reality of science, facts and safety cannot be ignored.”
