Answering Fresno-area reader questions about coronavirus: curfews, golf courses
As conronavirus continues to upend life in the central San Joaquin Valley, The Fresno Bee is here to answer your pandemic-related questions. While we’ve tried to address many of them in our regular coverage, in such a complex and evolving story some topics can slip through the cracks.
When the answers require information that isn’t readily available, we will solicit input from public officials and health experts.
Questions can be emailed to news@fresnobee.com or left at 559-441-6330. Instructions on how to submit news tips and documents can be found at fresnobee.com/news/investigative-tips.
Why are some Fresno-area golf courses still open while others have been closed? Frank W. of Fresno
Two factors are at play here: location and ownership. All golf courses located within the Fresno city limits are closed, regardless of whether they’re public or private. These facilities are subject to the citywide shelter-in-place order. Golf courses and driving ranges are listed among non-essential businesses and subject to enforcement by the Fresno Police Department.
It’s a different story for golf courses and country clubs located outside the city limits. Sunnyside and Belmont, for example, are private clubs located in county islands. They remain open. As are public courses Dragonfly (Madera County) and Sherwood Forest (outside Minkler).
Why are these courses still open? The short answer is that no one is telling them otherwise. Despite the statewide stay-at-home order, Fresno County sheriff’s deputies are not “going around ordering businesses to close,” spokesman Tony Botti said in an email.
That does not mean it’s business as usual. Dragonfly, for example, lists numerous safety measures on its web site: no food or beverages; no pro shop access; one person per cart except families; no rakes left in bunkers; and no reaching into the hole to retrieve your ball (stoppers have been placed) or touching the flagstick.
Other area courses have done likewise.
“Our members are taking this pandemic very seriously and prefer to be open, allowing them somewhat of a ‘safe ground’ to exercise and pick up lunch, dinner, and pantry items,” Sunnyside board president Joe Sciarrone said in an email.
Does the city of Fresno’s stay-at-home order include a curfew? Max L. of Fresno and others
Fresno does not have a curfew and rumors to the contrary are “completely, totally, and unequivocally FALSE” according to city spokesman Mark Standriff.
I am a 76-year-old woman who lives alone. Do I need to continuously wipe down and disinfect my countertops and door knobs, even though I’m staying home? Louise F. of Fresno
In your case, the short answer is “No.” Health experts say there’s no need to continuously disinfect if you’re staying home. However, that changes the moment you leave the house for a trip to the supermarket, pharmacy or anyplace where you’re touching something with your hands.
We are advised not to seek coronavirus tests unless we are very ill. Yet on the news I see athletes, music & film people, politicians, etc. that have tested positive and they do not appear very ill. How do we get to use their connections? Jerry G. of Fresno
To answer that one, I refer readers to a recent exchange between a TV reporter and President Donald Trump after it became public that NBA teams used private clinics to test their players and staff for COVID-19.
NBC News’ Peter Alexander: “How are nonsymptomatic professional athletes getting tests while others are waiting in line and can’t get them? Do the well-connected go to the front of the line?”
Trump: “No, I wouldn’t say so. But perhaps that’s the story of life.”
