The East Bay Regional Park District on Friday asked parks visitors to wear face masks or other face coverings in accordance with the Bay Area’s recent COVID-19-related face covering order.
“For the safety of individuals, the public and park employees, visitors should follow all local health agency recommendations, including the new ‘Cover Your Face’ directive,” EBRPD General Manager Robert Doyle said.
“Visitors should carry cloth face coverings with them when in regional parks and wear them whenever six-feet social distancing cannot be maintained.”
85 comments
Are they taking this a little to far?
No
Yes! Outdoor regulations are excessive unless you are standing in a line or cashiers window.
WHAT THE HELL! In the park for crying out loud.
We’re getting close.
That is the order that went into effect on 4/22. You don’t have to wear a face covering while walking outside, but it is recommended that you carry one with you so you can cover, if the 6 ft. distance can’t be maintained. It shouldn’t be too hard to keep your distance – it’s in a park, after all…
So the park district is really just reminding everyone what the rules are and that the park is included in these rules.
Nope. Denied!
Says to wear in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained not necessarily all the time.
Don’t question authority. Obey
I don’t when facts and data back them up.
This makes sense considering that there is a lot of socializing going on in the parks these days. I hiked in Briones last Sunday. I saw a lot of people who were over 60 hiking in small groups with people who most likely do not live with them and I saw a lot of people in their 20’s and early 30’s hiking in large groups. There was not much social distancing going on.
I’m over 60. Soon to be 65. My 26 year old just moved out in January. Graduated college last May. Lived at home all through college as she could commute on BART to school. Kids live at home longer. It takes longer to complete college. Living is so expensive they stay home longer until they can afford it.
@Anonymous
The young people were socializing with other young people and the over 60 people were with other people in their age group. I didn’t see families out together.
I’m sure health experts would agree, covering your face and denying your cells access to fresh oxygen whilst exercising is not a good idea. Especially in the heat, we’ll see an uptick of heat related injury. A micron sized droplet in a container the size of our atmosphere, hmm think about a little… what is the likelihood it’s going to find its way to me if I’m keeping my distance from others?
People passing out from heat and oxygen starvation makes more patients in the Emergency Room. When they catch Covid-19 or some other hospital infection from the doctors and nurses there they’ll have more reason to justify all this. Hospitals are where the diseases are.
I don’t think we’ve seen the end of this nonsense yet.
I expect the Air Board to call for a shelter in place this summer when it gets too smoggy.
Once they get the power, they never give it back.
JUST SAY “NO!”
And let’s keep in mind that the regional parks belong to us. As Americans we own the land and we employ the park service as stewards.
Sorry, EBRPD owns the land.
They may own it, but they bought it with tax dollars.
Gittyup,
Not all EBRPD land was purchased with tax dollars.
It’s way to hot for that. People will be passing out right and left!
What’s the point? Face coverings prevent your breath from hitting other people, they offer zero protection from microparticulate miasma. A face covering indoors will help prevent you from getting other sick but outdoors it is absolutely idiotic and pointless.
Why such negative reactions?
They are saying that the park may get crowded and if you cant maintain social distance, wear a mask.
Oh but they’re asking us…they will report back to dictator Newsom and he will put the screws to us and keep business closed even longer.
Guys they didn’t say you have to wear the mask the whole time you’re hiking! It says when you have to cross paths with someone on a narrow trail, where you will literally come within 6 feet. On many of the trails you must almost touch the person to get by on a narrow trail. I will gladly wear a mask in these circumstances. No need to overreact.
Reading is hard for some folks, apparently.
@thoughts & kj Took the thought out of my head…
Geez, people! Now I know why warning labels have to be placed on everything. No one would recommend to workout in 90 temps with a face covering on!
Did anybody actually read the article? It’s only two paragraphs, people. It just isn’t that difficult.
It says to carry a cloth mask and wear it WHENEVER SIX-FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING CANNOT BE MAINTAINED.
It doesn’t say you have to wear it when you’re alone on a trail.
We didn’t miss it, it’s just not practical to remove and replace a mask everytime we cross paths with people. The likelihood of transmission outdoors even if one was less than 6 feet away is ridiculously low. Plus goodness the sweat and bacteria that would grow on your mask…better wash it everytime you use it.
It wouldn’t surprise me if, after a while wearing any kind of covering over the nose and mouth, you weren’t re-breathing your own exhaled Carbon Dioxide. Vigorous walking or running would create, it seems to me, nothing short of oxygen starvation with a mask.
@Chicken Little Have you been to any parks lately? They are packed with people! It looked like there was no parking left at Newhall on Thursday morning. You are going to be within six feet of other park visitors. It is unavoidable. It is too hot and masks are too restrictive to be out walking with them.
@anonamel COVID-19 isn’t caused by bacteria, but yes you should be washing your mask after every use anyways, regardless of where you use it.
@gittyup the cloth can’t trap gasses, you won’t suffocate. For example wear masks for hours and their masks are heavier duty than the cloth that most people wear.
You can breath in masks but masks bring in less fresh air into your lungs. You won’t die from wearing one for a long time, but there have been small showing that CO2 levels ,in individuals whose jobs required mask usage, was elevated. There is a reason why people have panic attacks in masks and often the biggest trigger for them is they began to feel a bit starved for air.
None of these SIP orders or these mask ordinances were well thought out at all. As it stands people are getting antsy and finding any reason to leave their homes now judging by the number of cars on the road… most of them heading to McD’s and Dunkin Donuts because it’s open and the grocery stores are a pain in the butt to go to anymore. Healthy!
I was at the waterfront regional park in Martinez the other day and for a weekday there were as many cars as I often see on weekends. Usually weekdays it’s not that busy. If you go for a walk there the trails are plenty wide except for the one that goes out past the old shipwreck. I wouldn’t worry about being cited though as I seldom see the regional parks police even come through to cite those walking their dog(s) there.
It would help if the EBRPD made some more trails in the parks they manage, even if those new trails are temporary. Same for the Walnut Creek OSF; they could make a few more paths in Lime Ridge to space people apart.
With what money?
Yeah… And lets make them double-wide with cement center dividers and pave them like a street top. While we are at it, let’s cut down all the trees, so we can see people coming and move aside at least six feet.
There are enough trails… The natural/nature is what it those parks are about..
King Newsom knows what ‘s good for you. Obey Obey and be sure to show your papers.
illegals get in mask free and please bring your obnoxious dirt blowers. Love Gavin
Sorry, not sorry
Leaf blowers ! DON’T get me started 🤨
The Millennials have spoken. You swing from your tree, I’ll swing from mine
I object, but comply with wearing a mask in the store. I am not going to wear or carry one when I go for a walk. I have had no problem maintaining ‘social distancing’ for the past month, and I can just pull up my tee shirt and use that as a mask if necessary.
If 20-30% (or even 3%) of the population already had Xi Coronavirus, then it isn’t as deadly as advertised, and we will all be exposed anyway. And that’s why everyone is warning about the next spike before the first spike is even over.
Seeing the comments on here just tells me that people have forgotten how to read an article entirely. People need to stop getting so upset at a ttile and READ the whole article.
The danger in this is that people freak out, get angry then go around and spread their mistaken “knowledge” to people who didn’t see the article. Now you have more people upset over false information. People, READ, READ, READ!
Just google “Bakersfield doctors dispute the need to stay at home order.” Great article and conference video. They make so much sense based on facts, new data, etc. Fauci needs to be fired. Only elderly people and those who have illnesses need to be careful. The rest of the population will lose our naturally obtained immunity to fight off illness if we continue masking and distancing ourselves from other people.
Thank you.. The next wave will be antibiotic resistant superbugs from sanitizer over use,
For the people that frequent Round Valley, could you please, please, please stop littering?! This place is super busy every day now. And people are littering more and more. It’s disgusting.
Bakersfield? That’s the destination for Governor Newsom’s Choo Choo Train project.
Why do we have to remind people. It’s the law, like it or not, be kind and follow for everyones sake.
The government is in charge and if you dont play by the rules, we will be stuck in this nightmare until next year.
It’s the law? Which legislative body drafted, debated, and then passed said “law”?
There it is! The government’s in charge! Hell their rules change every day! They don’t know what they’re doing! But…they’re finding they can control us. As long as we’re complacent and don’t question authority.
This is not a law. “The government is in charge”
your words- thats horrifying to read. If that’s your opinion, I feel terrible for the great men and women who have given their lives to give us our liberties. We have bread a “veal calf society”. Please take care of me before you kill me. Once our civil liberties are taken away America as we know it is gone. Do I believe in being safe- yes. Once I spout out dribble like it’s “the law” I don’t belong in the United States. I should be on the first plane to China and obey.
fictitious nightmare we are in now
@Rollo
It is the law. The legislature enacted the Health and Safety Code which authorizes the County Health Officer to issue orders to the public to take actions or to restrict activities to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Yep, that’s how “the law” works.
You wrote it yourself. It’s an order, not a law – which means, like many other orders and laws, it has not passed Constitutional muster. That will only be determined when, or if, it is challenged within the judiciary. The Health and Safety Code does not provide for the County Health Officer to issue such orders without compelling reason, and data emerge every day that makes the reasoning less and less compelling.
@Rollo Tomasi – It’s a legally written order. Read what @Reason wrote at April 25, 2020 at 9:44 AM.
All 120 divisions of California’s Health and Safety Code were passed by the state legislature and are laws. In this case, the order cites California Health and Safety Code § 120295, 101040, and 120175. Those are the laws.
A legally written order doesn’t make it proper or enforceable. The mayor of Louisville, KY issued a legally written order banning drive-in Easter Sunday services in spite of compliance with CDC recommendations. A federal judge deemed the ban unconstitutional within 48 hours, and the drive in services took place as planned.
Public officials can issue “legal” orders until they’re blue in the face – that doesn’t make them constitutional.
Now you are attempting to shift the goalposts by using an example of a specific order for Louisville, KY that was deemed unconstitutional. Laws passed by legislatures and state propositions have also been found to be unconstitutional at times. That does not make all of them invalid.
If you believe the local health orders are unconstitutional then go to court and get a judge to agree with you. It’ll be a catch-22 for you as the local courts are closed for COVID-19…
Wow, it sure took you a while to conclude that laws and orders can be ruled unconstitutional regardless of the authority issuing the order, or the jurisdiction. I never claimed that all laws and orders are invalid – nice straw man though. Now you can graduate to Civics 201.
You’re also wrong about the courts. District courts (where such a motion would be filed) are operational at a reduced level. Civil matters are being heard via video or telephonic conference, including emergency requests for Temporary Restraining Orders and Preliminary Injunctions.
Nope. You should stay home. People using trails and paths shouldn’t have to accommodate you because you choose to flout the order. Grow up.
I saw a Mailman in Clayton today, walking his route, handing mail to a lady, on the sidewalk and neither had a mask on. Seems this should be more concerning than some trail walkers.
I can see that a few will ruin it for the rest of us.
There you go again Aprilwhine. Helping out the virus again.
Since the virus has no legs, can’t fly, and cannot reproduce or spread without help from humans, I’m sure the virus appreciates all you are doing to help it out.
It needs people like you fighting it’s battles, arguing that we should all help it spread, because without people like you it is just a helpless little germ. It needs you to assist it in order to attack us.
Aprilwhine, you do know that is the only consequence of your ridiculous arguments? That and showing us your low level intellect.
@Rita Girl If you’re that worried about it, just stay home. It’s that simple!
Old-school guy, I agree. Those willing and even happy to bend the knee to power hungry public officials will ruin this country for the rest of us.
This
Anonan. If we don’t know everything about this virus your charge that some people are denying science is obsurd. There are doctors that don’t agree with your quasi scientific theory. Your comment about Trump supporters exposes your argument as non-sciemtific partisan dribble.
You are flat out wrong. We can develop heard immunity to a new virus.
That
Aprilwine, I really wish you wouldn’t spout things like you said that only help the virus spread. Those of us wearing masks are just choosing to not let the virus spread. That’s it. Why are you so angry about that? Is the virus a friend of yours?
Also, who are practicing respectful social distancing should ever have to cater to your desires. Wow, your ego is offensively huge! Get over yourself, you’re not that special. Nobody should be forced to walk-around you.
In a civilized society both parties should do their part to avoid the other, with neither side demanding compliance from the other, out of pure ridiculousness.
You seem to think we should all care what you think about the orders and you should be able to decide if you feel like protecting your community or not. Such a selfish and irresponsible attitude!!!
OMG, who are you? Who made you ruler of all?
Knowing people like you are out there is why responsible people like me are ok with the stay at home order. We know we can not trust egomaniacal know-it-alls, like you and a bunch if the people who posted here, to care about anyone but themselves.
Because this is a weakest link scenario we want you ordered to do your part by staying home. If not ordered to do right we think people like you will make us all weaker. So we fully agree with the need for the SIP.
Also, people walking around without a mask on, when at a park on a narrow path without 6 feet to pass safely, could also lead to them closing the parks or extending the shelter in place.
Will you be happy then?
At least you made it very clear to all of us that in the war of Humans vs COVID-19 you are on the side of the virus. Good to know.
JRocks, you are flat out wrong. We may not ever develope immunity to the COVID-19 virus.
That is a scientific fact proven by humans never developing immunity to another coronavirus , one that we are very familiar faith and have been repeatedly exposed to for hundreds of years. I
t’s called the common cold.
That includes you. You have had the common cold, had it multiple times, and are still not immune, which is why I promise you that you will get it again. You will never develope that immunity and there is no vaccine for the common cold.
The antbodies we develope when fighting the common cold can permanently strengthen our immune systems to better fight the common cold Coronavirus strain the next time we get it, but those antibodies only provide a very small window of immunity before they no longer work. Not because the common cold virus has mutated like the flu virus frequently does. The common cokd is still the same strain that it has always been, for hundreds of years now. Unfortunately, us humans just don’t develope antibodies to it that make us immune.
Which means we might never develop herd immunity.
That’s just one possible outcome. Nobody knows what will happen, not even you.
But I do know what I’ve said is based on science that has been proven over and over in the last hundred years while people have repeatedly tried to develope a vaccine for the common cold.
How do you know we can become immune?
And BTW people, only a fool exercises on a hot day with a mask on. If you decide to do so and it effects you badly, that’s on you for making such a stupid choice. Nobody forced any to exercise outside on a hot day, that is your doing.
Stop being martyrs. If it’s too hot to wear a mask while hiking, do something else.
Why are you all so limited in your thinking?
Nobody is trying to punish you all or plotting against you.
Nobody making these decisions cares if you don’t like what they hope is the right thing to do to safe lives.
They have real issues to deal with. All your ignorant and righteous statements and nonsensical petty complaints are just a waste of time and energy. You all will never be happy anyways.
What a bunch of whining babies. So sad.
Almost every article written about masks stresses 100% cotton not synthetics.
When you breathe while exercising you expel a lot of moisture so this is to protect you all. Get over it. I love the fact that most people feel too regulated. WE are talking about life vs. death. Please comply. Especially people on bikes on the Iron Horse Trail. You need to wear a mask. I am sick of people feeling so violated because they cannot do what they want to. You are selfish and spoiled. You are the same folks that want to burn fires in their fire places on the Spare the Air days. Grow up babies.
If you’re that worried about getting it, just stay home. It’s that simple.
No, @Gittyup. The rules are in place so the rest of us can safely enjoy the outdoors. If you are not willing to follow the rules, then YOU stay home. These are legally enforceable orders. You can be fined or jailed for violating them. Show some respect for the law.
JRocks, I agree the premise that we can’t developed immunity to something we don’t understand is absurd. And broadstroking Trump supporters as “denyers” is a direct insult linked to fake climate warming ” science”.
Unless, it IS bio weapon that was coincidentally released in an election year. This begs the question, who benefits? I am pretty sure the public does not know the half of it. Whatever it is.
I am also pretty sure our Trump hater citizens would destroy America sovereignty in order to achieve a World government. The idiocy of wishing an IRS or DMV mentality on themselves is beyond comprehension.
Don’t want to wear a mask? Don’t live here. The rest of us actually enjoy living and will stay safe and healthy by masking up. I’ve been wearing an n95 at work for 5 weeks now 50 hours per week. YOU ARE WEAK if you can’t handle the mask. Grab the sack between your leg and put that mask on.
Rita Girl must be recent honors graduate of the Lars Anderson School of Conciseness and Brevity.
“…whenever six-feet social distancing cannot be maintained.”
You don’t need a mask if you’re not around others. Calm down people!
Rollo for the win!
Am I the only on here that has ever had the experience of being ordered by a cop to do something? Because this is not one of those cases. For you reactionary wingnuts out that see black helicopters anytime the local park police do their job and police the park, this falls more in the category of bicycle speed limits, prohibition on firearms, drones, alcohol, archery, rocketry, nudity, drugs, timber harvesting, ….wow! There’s a whole lot of things you’re not allowed to do in the open space, and you have to wear clothes?!?! That’s a lot of freedom curtailin’ right there. But unlike those things I listed and many more, the STRONG SUGGESTION to follow the state wide mask guidelines will go away in time. The cops are doing their part to communicate what they would ask of the public to help them manage the risk and keep the parks manageable and accessible.
Not every awesome thing cops do involve shooting someone on TV. Sometimes the most beneficial police work that saves lives and prevent misery is a dry bureaucratic policy announcement. We’re in a pandemic with no known cure. So until there is a medical breakthrough, it is a mitigation numbers game. The cops are trying to minimize the numbers that they have any influence over. That to me sounds borderline heroic. Cut the cops some slack.
Thank you.
I wore a bandana at Crockett Hills today, but only pulled it over my face when encountering others. It wasn’t difficult. Nobody asked for papers. I maintained my distance and freedom. The mask reduces the probability of myself, or others, getting infected. No big deal.
My new worry is the attitude of some of the posts on this thread. Can I get some kind of PPE to shield me from the ignorance and selfishness of some of the people in Claycord.?
I tried the brick. It’s working so far, but then again I’ve not been out of the house. If that fails, I’ll try more bricks 👍
Cover your mouth and hot weather huh? Wait till older people who are already compromised or people with breathing problems become hypoxic wearing these masks in the park. That should go very well.
Another one who struggles with reading comprehension.
Yep. It can happen in seconds. By the time they drop, its too late.
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