 Read Part 1 |
The “Safer at Home” Order |  Read Part 3 |
Things are getting serious, everyone!
I did some research and found out what COVID-19 is. It’s a coronavirus, in the same family as the common cold and SARS! Turns out, it’s a new version that jumped to humans who were eating pangolins in Wuhan China last December! The code name is short for “Coronavirus” and the year it was discovered: 2019! This particular strain has made over 145,000 people sick around the world, and some countries, like China, Iran, and Italy, have gone into full lockdown! In less than a week, the number of cases here in southern California has gone from 65 to 311!
So after a week of giggling at folks who have been hoarding toilet paper like hamsters, things are looking less funny here in Los Angeles. The stock market’s crashing, big events are getting canceled, and businesses are shutting down! Tonight, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that all “non-essential” businesses would need to close from March 19th until April 19th to stem the flood of COVID-19 patients into hospitals!
The warning signs at Plummer Park (home to the oldest house in Hollywood) were super ominous! All facilities here have closed to comply with the mayor’s citywide “Safer at Home” order, which, even in twenty-four hours, has become a statewide mandate!
 |
Signs in English and Russian (betcha didn’t know West Hollywood is also Little Russia) told more about this novel coronavirus, which spreads a lot like the flu, through coughs, sneezes, and touching contaminated surfaces. All the park’s facilities have been closed to keep folks from gathering. In fact, the entire state of California has banned all gatherings of 10 or more people!
 |
 |
So it was super eerie walking through this park without the familiar racket of racquets! Tennis, of course, is canceled. No one was gathered on the benches or the playgrounds. Since the gyms were closed, there were a few folks out getting exercise on the outdoor gym, but all in all, Plummer Park was plumb outta people!
 |
 |
Even though the virus doesn’t affect beavers (as far as I know), the signs around Plummer Park sure gave me the chills and the sweats. I wonder what other places are going to start shutting down now that the “Safer at Home” order is live.
I’ll keep you posted!
Read Part 1 |
The “Safer at Home” Order | Read Part 3 |