The Entire City of San Francisco Is Shutting Down for Three Weeks
SOURCE: Wikimedia
Reactions and/or overreactions to this "unique time in history" run from one extreme to the other. Some reactions are more helpful than others (see Ted Cruz Has One Simple Way to Help During Coronavirus Social Distancing and Norm Macdonald Kills with Eight Minutes of Coronavirus Jokes [VIDEO]). I'm not sure where the city of San Francisco shutting down for three weeks falls on that scale. But considering it's tough to wash your hands while you are defecating over a pile of needles on the sidewalk, it's probably for the best.
Mayor London Breed announced what she calls a "defining moment" in U.S. response to the pandemic. Beginning at 12 AM, all residents within the city can only leave home for doctor's appointments or runs to the grocery store. It's the strictest new policy enacted in the nation, and matches the current rules in Italy ... which has been the 2nd hardest-hit country in the world.The Mayor says the rule will remain in effect for at least the next 3 weeks.
In addition, to the city shut down, 6 Bay Area counties are telling residents to "shelter in place." That means ... unless your work falls under the list of "essential businesses," you've been ordered to stay home.
Which for many San Francisco residents means a pile of your own filth at a park somewhere. Not to make light of the pandemic, but the people doing most of the wildin' out over it have been people encouraged to live on top of each other in the big city, where, as more people commit crimes, more elected officials change the rules to make things no longer crimes. Have a homeless problem? Change the zoning laws and poof! The homeless are now considered campers. The more dependent you are on the government, the more it's time to freak out when the government tells you to.
Just saying. In the suburbs, where we have private property and room to breathe, folks aren't nearly as panicked. Taking precautions, absolutely. My elderly mother has been ordered to the den and a strict regimen of the DIY Network and "Say Yes to the Dress." But if she wants to go for a walk around the park, no one is going to fine her for it.