‘Don’t be selfish.’ People crowd California beaches despite coronavirus threat

Crowds of people fleeing cities locked down by coronavirus shelter-in-place orders packed some Northern California beaches over the weekend, prompting closures, The Marin Independent Journal reports.

Beach-goers thronged Dillon Beach and Point Reyes National Seashore beaches, both in Marin County, according to the publication.

“Marin is usually a place for recreation, but now is not the time,” said Dr. Lisa Santora, the county’s deputy public health officer, in a news release, KPIX reported.

Santora also said that congregating on beaches or other outdoor locations “makes the shelter-in-place order less effective” and puts more people at risk of catching the virus, according to the station.

More than 350,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with more than 15,300 deaths as of March 23, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 35,000 confirmed cases with more than 400 deaths.

The World Health Organization has declared coronavirus a global pandemic. The United States has declared a national emergency.

On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide shelter-in-place order requiring people to stay in their homes except for essentials like buying food and closing down non-essential businesses, The Sacramento Bee reported.

The order seeks to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus by limiting public interactions. People can still take walks, bicycle or enjoy outdoor activities as long as they follow social distancing guidelines, according to the publication.

On Saturday, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook that large crowds of people heading to beaches were clogging roads in coastal communities.

“We understand the communities’ frustrations with the LARGE amount of people traveling to the Coast today and NOT practicing social distancing. We are working with the Public Health Officers to address the issue. Please stay at home,” the post reads..

With some parking lots and bathrooms already closed under the shelter-in-place order, the crowds also created litter and sanitation problems, KPIX reported.

“Those young people that are still out there on the beaches, thinking this is a party, time to grow up,” Newsom said, The Sacramento Bee reported. “Time to wake up, time to recognize that it’s not just about the old folks, but about your impact on their lives. Don’t be selfish.”

As a result, beaches at Point Reyes National Seashore have now been closed through at least April 7, says a notice posted to the park’s website. Campgrounds and visitor centers had already been closed.

Police in the coastal city of Martinez also warned people to observe social-distancing rules while outdoors, KNTV reported. Piedmont officials closed several tennis courts and sports fields because people were not following the guidelines.

In Southern California, people also crowded the region’s famous beaches Saturday despite the stay-at-home order, the Los Angeles Times reported.

“Would you believe we’re in the middle of a pandemic right now?” said Elaine Cohen as she looked out over people filling Santa Monica State Beach, according to the publication.

And in Oregon, the mayor of Astoria called on Gov. Kathleen Brown to strengthen shelter-in-place directives, The Oregonian reported.

“Today we have been appalled by the sight of tens of thousands of irresponsible vacationers flocking to the coast, as if this was just another spring break week with callous disregard for residents’ health and safety,” said Mayor Bruce Jones, according to the publication.

This story was originally published March 22, 2020 at 2:02 PM with the headline "‘Don’t be selfish.’ People crowd California beaches despite coronavirus threat."