California Rolls Back Reopening as Covid-19 Cases Hit New High

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.

Withthe ever-growing surge of the Covid-19 virus across the state of California andother key states, it was only a matter of time before mandates, closures andperhaps another lockdown looked likely..

Gov.Gavin Newsom Monday mandated Los Angeles County, to close all indoor activitiesat 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.

Inaddition, 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.

Thenew restrictions take effect immediately.

Theannouncement comes as coronavirus cases continued to surge statewide and as positivityrates, now up to 7.4% in California, are also on the rise.

 “The data suggests not everybody is practicingcommon sense,” Newsom said.

As of Monday, there were 326,187 confirmed coronavirus cases across the state, with 7,053 deaths.

Heexplained 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 longterm and that residents statewide have to adapt to new behaviors.

Thoughthe rollbacks do not yet include schools, districts are racing against time toopen in August despite professional consensus that says physical schoolingshould 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 continuesto be. We cannot reopen schools until it is safe. With the ongoing surge inCOVID-19 infections, we must take the most preventative action in the face ofuncertainty to protect students, educators, and our communities,” said CTAPresident E. Toby Boyd. “We are eager to be back with our students, but thereality of science, facts and safety cannot be ignored.”

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