Hundreds Protest Shelter-In-Place Order In California

By
Caleb Newton
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The state of California was one of the first jurisdictions in the United States to impose tough social distancing demands meant to stem the spread of the Coronavirus — and they’ve suffered several times fewer the number of cases and deaths than New York, where social distancing demands went into place later along in the process. Despite these steps towards success in fighting off the absolute worst possible impacts from the virus, more than 200 people attended a protest this week in Huntington Beach, California, meant to criticize the state’s stay-at-home order. Right-wing interests across the country have alleged that the basic public health measures violate their rights.

Local police responded:

‘We are asking our community and those that visit Huntington Beach to remember we are under an Executive Order by the State, which specifically states all residents of California should stay at home in an effort to help flatten the curve in regard to community spread of COVID-19. The more people are out and gathered in groups, the more COVID-19 will spread in our community and endanger lives… Public safety will continue to be our top priority, and we ask that you continue to follow the orders set forth by the State of California.’

Despite the successful aversion of some of the most terrible possibilities in California, over 500 people have already died from the Coronavirus in Los Angeles, which is in the Huntington Beach area. As a whole, the state of California has suffered over 1,000 Coronavirus deaths, and they have registered almost 30,000 cases and counting.

Those gathered at the protest didn’t seem too fazed. The event had been marketed as promoting “freedom, liberty and reopening the California economy,” and signs included messages like: “Quarantine the sick, not the healthy!” and “Open Cali now.” The message about quarantining is ignorant of the nature of social distancing, which is meant to keep as many people from becoming even relatively unaffected virus carriers as possible so that those who are vulnerable are protected.

Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, commented:

‘CA is flattening the curve — but we MUST continue to take this seriously. Stay home.’

Meanwhile, demonstrators like those in Huntington Beach have national-level support from the president, who recently tweeted calls to “liberate” a selection of states that currently have stay-at-home orders in effect. He too has prioritized the economy over dangers to public health.

As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has countered:

‘To say “People will die, so be it” instead of a science & testing-based path to reopening the economy is deeply frivolous & wrong. Every life is precious. Each death is heartbreaking — for a family & for a community. This is something we are all in together. #FamiliesFirst’

Protests have sprung up against stay-at-home orders outside of California in states like Michigan, where demonstrators even blocked an ambulance route to a local hospital. Many states have expressed their resolve to stay the course of their public health demands no matter pressure from protesters or the president. California has banded together with Oregon and Washington for an agreement to coordinate significant parts of their virus response going forward.



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