Gaspar, Desmond push for reopening business

Coast News:

In a media interview last week, Gaspar said Newsom should give counties and cities the authority to determine how and when businesses reopen.

“Sacramento can’t possibly know what’s best for San Diego! Here we have talented clinical leadership, collaborative hospital partners, responsible business owners, engaged residents, and a strong faith-based community ready to guide San Diego out of the crisis if only Sacramento would get out of the way,” said Gaspar, a former Encinitas mayor who represents Encinitas, Escondido, Solana Beach, Del Mar and a northern chunk of the city of San Diego on the county’s Board of Supervisors.

Since the pandemic began on March 7, 430,000 people in San Diego County lost their jobs as of May 2, according to estimates compiled by Thousands Oaks-based research group Applied Geographic Solutions Inc.

During that period, the county’s unemployment rate increased from 3.3 percent to a projected 28.7 percent of the county’s labor force.

When the lockdown began, there were 34 cases of Covid-19 in Encinitas. Those cases have presumably all cleared, and in the past two months, six additional cases have been reported.

Environmental Commission to declare “climate emergency” tonight

Agenda:

The climate crisis is our greatest existential threat. Declaration of a Climate Emergency shows that the City of Encinitas recognizes the egregious dangers imposed by climate change, and that urgent action is required. Perhaps it may seem extreme and alarmist, but it not extreme to respect the overwhelming scientific consensus and to respond accordingly. And it is far more alarming to ignore facts and to take no action when imminent danger threatens.

Unless we act quickly and decisively, our civilization will be ravaged by climate chaos characterized by unprecedented droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, famines, fires, heat waves, and sea-level elevations. Adverse events such as these are already occurring.

UPDATE: Resolution doesn't pass as commissioners can't agree on wording, residents wonder what emergency powers council wants to seize.

Crista Curtis on Coronabullies

Union-Tribune commentary:

I was personally characterized as a selfish, shallow person, impatient to return to beach sunbathing, and angry about the inability to get my hair and nails done — nothing could be further from the truth. Some of these “virtue signalers” even contacted former employers and my church fellowship in an attempt to destroy my livelihood and reputation.

My closest friends own salons and are hairdressers, estheticians and personal fitness trainers, and they have been the most severely impacted and the focus of the news today. They and many of the local business owners I have talked with are afraid to speak out for fear of similar retaliation by people attempting to destroy their livelihood or governmental regulatory agencies punishing their businesses.

These people have families and bills, and can’t risk arrest. It’s distressing to think some may not have a place to go back to work. This should spur every American into action. Join a rally and demand the reopening of our state.

Everything you want to know about the red tide

Lots of science here, much of which will be new to most people.

Large homeless encampment developing behind Oggi's

Nextdoor.com:

This is one criminal encampment. I saw roughly 25 just in this one location. I numbered the stuff so I can describe what I saw, they would not let me film. VERY DANGEROUS. DO NOT ENTER!!! I parked and walked to #1. A fence end with a steep cliff. #2. Got to the bottom. I could see a giant tunnel and hear voices but couldn't see anybody. #3 Decided to start at one end, slipped and fell. Crap everywhere. #4 Bumped into 2 guys. Said I'm looking for my friend. #4 is GIANT TUNNEL that goes to Cottonwood Creek. #6 Walked over to a tent. Drug paraphernalia everywhere, needles, trash, shit. #7 After # 6 the guys at #4 said "THEY SHOULD WALK ME to #7. The brush is so thick and can't see through it and pull up on some guy like in the movie with Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now. He has me sit in a chair, full set up. Pretty rad. Kinda gnarly long haired big dude. Another guy walks up to me, I just put my hand out and shaked it to not be suspicious. QUICK DRUG DEAL. Now all I can think about is my hand (I'm a germaphobe). #8 Guy has a yard fenced off. #9 "Don't Even Think About Going There #10. Hiking through thick bush another structure. #11. Another structure with fenced walls, talk to voices behind fence can't see anybody. Everybody hidden except #7, he had big yard with carpet. #12 Hike another sketchy hill, could be 25 to 35 feet deep in the ditch? Hike next to a fence and to end of fence. #13 is fence outside of compound and walk south along the exit ramp. #14 that dude you see with the beard who panhandles that corner. I think he's an "outside of the fencer crazy tweeker." ***** OH!!!! Gigantic Gray Rats EVERYWHERE!!! Kind of almost tame. HUNDREDS. Shit, trash, filth, you can EASILY murder someone there. Someone I spoke with said Sheriffs have them show their hands, ID, keep hands out in front of them.

Lots of LA and OC'er criminals. Stolen stuff EVERYWHERE. As I left I believe they grew suspicous. Guys on bikes were hovering at the top. Soon more bikes kinda encircling me. Get to van and more guys on bikes.

The reporter is one of the opponents of the Saxony homeless parking lot, and is prone to hyperbole. But others have seen a lot of people coming and going from the dense brush, and this area was reportedly where the subject of one of the recent helicopter searches was found.

Beach staircases open tomorrow

Encinitas Advocate:

Encinitas will expand the open areas of its beaches and allow people to use coastal access staircases starting Saturday, May 9, the City Council unanimously decided Wednesday, May 6.

One day earlier, on Friday morning, May 8, the city also will lift some restrictions on “active” recreation areas at city parks, permitting families to play basketball or tennis, but keeping the playgrounds, skatepark areas and pickleball courts closed due to concerns about spreading the coronavirus.

Science increasingly shows that outdoor transmission of covid-19 is rare.

Health experts say people are significantly less likely to get the coronavirus while outside, a fact that could add momentum to calls to reopen beaches and parks closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Being outside shouldn’t be seen as completely safe, health experts say. People should continue to avoid crowds and maintain six feet of distance from others to keep away from the virus.

But experts are increasingly confident in evidence showing that the coronavirus spreads much more readily indoors than outdoors, a finding that could help guide policymakers seeking to figure out ways to end lockdowns that have shuttered much of the nation’s economy.

5/6/20 City Council meeting open thread

The council still isn't allowing public participation other than written comments (LA County got busted and relented, but you know our mayor), but you can watch online.

Please use the comments to record your observations.