Scenes from my local beaches

[nala]

Update. 2 weeks later. 3 weeks after the protests. And no significant spikes yet! Then this.

Evidence mounts that outside is safer when it comes to COVID-19

Health experts say people are significantly less likely to get the coronavirus while outside, a fact that could add momentum to calls to reopen beaches and parks closed during the COVID-19 pandemic…

thehill.com

 

[Queenie60]

Update. 2 weeks later. 3 weeks after the protests. And no significant spikes yet! Then this.

Evidence mounts that outside is safer when it comes to COVID-19

Health experts say people are significantly less likely to get the coronavirus while outside, a fact that could add momentum to calls to reopen beaches and parks closed during the COVID-19 pandemic…

thehill.com

Conflicting information. It can become confusing, especially to the ignorant.

 

[autumngems]

I live on the coast and I love going to the beach but they just opened ours and it's insane. No social distancing, no masks really. Don't see much as far as Police, just sad.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

So it is true that being outside is overall safer than inside, assuming the same density of people since the ventilation is infinitely better (yay wind!) So parks being opens is likely ok if it's things like hiking trails where people generally aren't congregating, going in groups, or touching the same things.

The danger of opening beaches aren't necessarily the beaches themselves in terms of sunbathing. It's more that all those people will need to share restrooms, pile into the same places to get lunch, be tempted to then go hang out at someone's house together or set up beach bars that will increase body density and proximity. People will want to interact, beaches are a somewhat social setting for certain demographics lol.

Personally I think opening large state and national parks with thoughtfullness towards spaces that will need to be shared and taking measures to prevent overcrowding, could be a lovely and reasonably safe thing that would do the populace's mental health good. It's not zero risk, nothing will be lower risk than staying in your house, but in this instance I think the risk is fairly minimal and the benefit great.

 

[Missy]

Scenes from our local beaches. So far so good. Peaceful existence rules the day here. For now.

 

[Missy]

And hiking trails are empty too for now.