To fend off coronavirus, Los Angeles County has kept beaches closed. Most abide, but some stir-crazy surfers, Manhattan Beach locals and others are ready to get back to the ocean.
Visitors don’t seem to be observing social distancing restrictions on April 11 at Point Mugu. California State Parks Ranger David Gunn warns visitors at Point Mugu that parking is not allowed due to coronavirus and social distancing restrictions. Miriam Burciga enjoys a socially distant perch overlooking Point Mugu State Park in Ventura County.
Opinion in the lineup has been far from unanimous, however. BlueChefHat said on the Surfer comment board: “The critical problem is humans who believe as individuals their rights are more important than the collective health of the planet. Generations before have been asked to go to war. We’ve been asked to watch Netflix for a few weeks.”
He agreed in a note to readers that, on many beaches, social distancing and surfing appear compatible. But not at the most crowded spots such as Malibu, the landmark break just up the coast from the city’s historic pier. Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said Orange County had an obligation to protect local residents. “When you take a look at the folks that are coming down,” she said, “they’re not only not adhering to safer-at-home policies in their own communities, they’re not even staying in their own counties.”
Many point to the unequal impact of the closures, given that residents in some coastal communities have greater access to parks, beaches and hiking trails while more working-class communities inland swelter in more confined spaces. Still, even coastal residents attuned to such inequities can find it hard to accept that they can’t, for instance, go in the ocean when they don’t see crowds at their local beach. They call for compromise measures, like those enacted Wednesday in Ventura.Emily Enholm, 7, and her sister, Hazel, 4, play on the sand at Hueneme Beach. Ventura agreed to allow people to use the city’s beaches, pier, promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and remain on the move.
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