With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Here's What Huntington Beach Looked Like On Saturday (Hint: Not Empty)
People walk on the beach, some wearing masks. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
In our morning briefing, Gina Pollack had some plain talk about what we witnessed Saturday:
It's topping 90-degrees. Most of us are on day 40-50 of quarantine (I counted 43, personally) and driveable access to beaches and wildflowers is probably one of the reasons a lot of us chose to live here in the first place.
But, look: Public health experts, doctors, mayors, governors -- all say the best way to beat this virus is to avoid contact with other people. And the best way to do that is to stay home.
Sponsored message
Neighborhood walks? Sure. Runs? That's ok, too. But please, stop posting your poppy selfies on Instagram. At the very least, have a little discretion. When you tag your location, we can see you. We know you were there today for a picnic at 1 p.m. sitting all over those innocent flowers. And beach goers, we see you too.
It's like, we've been in line for 43 days, do you really want to get out of line and start over? DO YOU? Because when you get out of the line, we all have to get out of line.
Plus, let's be real. If we all crowd the beaches, then we're no better than Florida. And I for one, think we are better than Florida.
See what you think. Here's what Huntington Beach in Orange County looked like on Saturday:
Lifeguards in Huntington Beach expected tens of thousands of people to flock the beach this weekend due to the heat wave. Lifeguards and law enforcement are patrolling the beach to make sure people are keeping their distance. (Apu Gomes / AFP via Getty Images)
The afternoon fog on Saturday didn't seem to deter beachgoers. P(Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
The reflexion of lifeguard wearing a face mask surveying the beach is seen from her post. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
Sponsored message
Mike Bennett wears a Patriot face mask on his mouth as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19 while skateboarding Saturday. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
(Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
Men play spike ball on the beach. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
Women wearing face masks sunbathe on the beach.(Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
Orange County officials -- who have called for non-local residents to stay away from the beaches there -- have warned that if beaches become too crowded to ensure public health, they will close them again.
ADDENDUM:
In case you were wondering what Sunday looked like, here's a shot of a path near the beach.
Sponsored message
People ride bikes and walk on a path along the beach on April 26. (Michael Heiman/Getty Images)
UPDATES:
4 p.m.: This article was updated with photo from Sunday.
This article was originally published at 7 a.m.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS
- Your No-Panic Guide To All The Changing Rules In LA
- Where To Get Financial Assistance, Food And Other Help
- Tracking The Spread Of COVID-19
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
