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Citizen complaint of the day: Too much coronaball in Boston parks
By adamg on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 10:44am
From a complaint about Peters Park yesterday.
Mayor Walsh may be hesitating to call out the parks around Boston where people are still un-social-distancing for basketball, street hockey, doggie butt sniffing and boozie parties, but concerned citizens with the 311 app on their phone are not. Even as Walsh was merely threatening to taunt basketball-playing would-be contagion spreaders mercilessly at a press conference yesterday, the city's 311 database was filling up with pleas to do something.
Some examples:
Butler Park, South Boston: Mayor Walsh, please remind folks that there is a "stay indoors" advisory. There are children and parents all over the parks, young men playing basketball, people congregating on the streets. I still have to work, I do not want to get sick when they show up at the stores because they decided NOT to practice social distancing.
Billings Field, West Roxbury. I know parks are open so folks can enjoy the Fred air and take walks etc. Does this also Mean adults can bring their beach chairs and alcoholic beverages? Definitely appears they have moved cocktail hour to Billings field. No- these are not young adults. They are adults who should know better.
Porzio Park, Jeffries Point, East Boston: There are constantly people playing on the playground at Porzio Park. When there aren't kids using the equipment it is being used as a dog park. Is there any way to do a more effective job of closing the playground for the safety of the neighborhood?
Noyes Playground, East Boston: Large group of people playing soccer in the park.
Peters Park, South End. I realize it's a beautiful day and all of us want to exercise and release stress. But seeing these basketball courts packed with no regard for social distancing is disturbing.
Eden Street Park, Charlestown. PLEASE ENFORCE - group of people congregating and playing basketball @ Eden St Park.
American Legion Playground, East Boston. Apparently people don't understand what social distancing and the stay at home advisory is about. This is unacceptable. People like this are causing this virus to spread. I thought the Boston playgrounds/parks were closed? Something needs to be done.
Fallon Field, Roslindale. Fallon Field hockey rink is full of young adults. Parks are closed. These folks are going to kill their grandparents like this. Close the gates to the rink!
Marcella Playground, Roxbury. Tons of people playing at Marcella Park. Kids in playing on the playground equipment which is supposed to be closed. Probably 30 youth playing basketball. No social distancing. So unsafe.
Polcari Playground, North End. Six people playing basket ball!!!! No social distance!
City Yards Field, East Boston. Drove by East Boston city yards today to witness scores of people playing soccer. While the rest of us are doing our part during this pandemic these people think they are better than the rest of us. They are going to spread this virus as did Madison Gradi Grad. Please Mr. Mayor shut the playgrounds down and enforce it for the sake of all of us. If I see it again and nothing has been done I will notify several news stations to expose this. Thank you.
M Street Beach, South Boston. Large group drinking and not social distancing on M street beach.
Neighborhoods:
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Comments
Similarly, should dog parks
Similarly, should dog parks really be open? I live in Eastie and some of the worst offenders are people with dogs. The Bremen St. dogpark is full of people and dogs.
Walk your dog, fine. (But please keep them on a leash, unlike some of the idiots who live at Portside and just let their dogs run around.)
Dog parks are out if control
Dog parks are out if control with people packed inside the fences. Should be closed.
Just to be fair about the dog
Just to be fair about the dog park, I stand far away and only the dogs interact.
Thank you but not everyone is
Thank you but not everyone is doing that.
Still, that's not being safe.
Still, that's not being safe. We still dont know for a fact if dogs can transmit it internally, and what's stopping it from going from you-> the dogs fur-> to the next dog-> to his owner
You can take away my freedom
But you can't take away my basketball nets or there will be trouble.
Okay, you can have NOTHING but net.
Some jocks just gotta be jocks.
Too bad they socialize and interact with non-jocks.
Psst. You don’t need nets for to play basketball.
Prying it out of your hot fevered hands will be easy when you are recovering and struggling to breathe.
Virus-coated snot-laden (what, nobody spits on the outdoor court?) basketballs changing hands multiple times during a game (unless I play and nobody will pass to me) doesn’t sound smart or do they wipe the ball with alcohol after each field goal?
I dunno. Maybe they practice safe ballin’ with gloves on.
McLean Playground in Eastie
The McLean Playground in Eastie near Excel Academy has had all kinds of mingling going on. Nonstop pickup basketball games, parents with children socializing with others, dog walkers, and the usual smattering of street people. For the life of me I don't see the appeal of that uninviting slab of concrete in the best of times, let alone now.
Press Conference
Mayor Walsh delivers a firm rebuke to Corona-ballers
We put...
"Crime tape" around the Half-Court and the Gym is closed. Sportsball games are contraindicated for the duration.
A South End resident posted
A South End resident posted on Facebook reported that when they called 311 they were told to call the police. When they called BPD District 4, they were told "sorry there's nothing we can do about it since it's not illegal." What a shitshow. The Mayor needs to enforce this somehow. These idiots are risking everyone's health.
Closing basketball courts is easy
You lock a chain or bar across the rims.
Then they'll just pretend they're Shaq shooting free throws
Those shots never went in anyway...
Check out Melrose, I don’t
Check out Melrose, I don’t think anyone in that town even knows the rest of the world is on lockdown.
First of all, I don't know
First of all, I don't know who you think you are by calling those children ignorant idiots. You clearly have way too much time on your hands.
Stop trying to be the social police, close your shades and stop taking pictures from your penthouse, it only makes you look creepy.
Reporting joggers???
Social Justice Warriors need to stop staring out the window. Reporting joggers, people entering a restaurant, kids playing basketball, is over the top. Go watch a movie.
Kids playing basketball will
Kids playing basketball will kill people so you are wrong about that one. If people are dumb and it only affects their health then so be it but when they are dumb and ignorant and it affects others it needs to be nipped in the bud.
Worry about yourselves and not anybody else.
You guys need to get over yourselves and go live under a rock.
I work at Mass general and I still have to go to work and subject myself to the possibility that some patients they either carry it and transmitted or are sick with it.
there's nothing wrong with a bunch of kids playing basketball.
Would you rather them play basketball or be out shooting each other.
Go back into your penthouse put the shades down and mind your goddamn business.
"South End resident*",
"South End resident*",
You may work at a MGH but I'll wager you don't have a medical background. You might want to ask some of the docs or nurses there how viruses work and how they are transmitted. They can also tell you why this particular virus is serious.
Kids playing basketball vs shooting each other is a false dilemma. This device is often used to oversimplify a complex situation. Thank you for providing this opportunity to show readers how trolls try to distort perceptions.
*does Moscow have a South End?
So you work at MGH but you're
So you work at MGH but you're not concerned about people spreading the virus through unnecessary contact?!
seriously Kinopio?
I know you're rabidly anti-car, but do you also need to insult janitors and non-college-grads, too? As well as the OP, who you don't know but still feel free to judge & insult? Not very neighborly.
No, I'd rather they be
No, I'd rather they be looking up recipes for rice and beans, and making phone calls to lonely people in nursing homes.
If "social justice warrior" means "person who is going to try not to kill their neighbors, and will encourage them not to kill each other," hand me the badge.
I’m really concerned that you
I’m really concerned that you work at MGH and have this attitude. Please go back to school.
Janitors don’t need degrees.
Janitors don’t need degrees.
"Janitors" are on the front lines, dude!
Hospital "janitors" have to be trained in handling infectious waste, hazardous waste, and sometimes radioactive waste.
Find another target, please. People who clean hospitals are FRONT LINE in this epidemic, and any ER or ICU nurse or doc will tell you so! They are also lacking protective equipment to fend off this virus, and risking their health to do their jobs.
Janitors
They need good training and good personal protection.
I am glad they keep the show running by doing their jobs.
FYI this ain’t The Wire
Gangbangers in Boston aren’t playing ball in the parks. Not now, not ever.
Oh no! I'm going to start
Oh no! I'm going to start playing basketball right away! I wouldn't want to accidentally shoot someone in the street!
Funny you think the
Funny you think the alternative to shooting hoops is gunplay. I live in the inner city and even I consider that a low blow.
So if they can shoot hoops, then we can all work and they can all go back too school, right? Where do you draw the line?
No reason those kids playing basketball, and their parents, can’t just play by the rule like the rest of us.
Be a part of the solution, not the problem.
Stunning
It’s not too surprising that one person wrote this. But 20+ people actually gave it a thumbs up? “there’s nothing wrong with a bunch of kids playing basketball”? You do know how this stuff gets communicated, don’t you? If not, what exactly do you do at MGH? Hopefully nothing whatsoever to do with public health.
And...the choice is between playing corona-transmitting basketball and shooting each other? Please give kids, give humanity a little more credit.
Out shooting each other,
Out shooting each other, where the hell are you at? Boston has next to nill gun violence. You talk like this is Chicago and I know because I'm from Chicago. This virus will kill far more Massholes than gun violence will over the year. And I'm still working throughout New England.
Actually no
You could do anything at MGH, that’s not a qualifier. On the other hand my wife is a doctor at MGH.
She is the one that puts the tube in Covid19 patients so they can breathe. In about 2 weeks we’ll be at the peak of the curve. This is not SOcial Justice Warrior BS (wrong term anyways) or people needing to mind their business. This is everyone’s business. When we say stop playing ball it’s because your gonna End up taking up much needed resources.
It’s now effecting healthy 20 y/o this is not an old person problem. So we WILL NOT be minding our business as people continue to do everything possible to get others sick.
Thank you! And please thank
Thank you! And please thank your wife for all that she is doing. I pray that my elderly parents will make it through this and people like you both is how it can be done. I’m truly grateful.
Your right, what does the NBA
Your right, what does the NBA know?
Joggers
Joggers spit, spew, sweat and spread droplets far and wide. Not to mention the just plain annoying factor. There needs to be a moratorium on jogging until this is over. Walking is fine.
According to the CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid...
Runners practicing basic decency aren't going to spread the virus any more than walkers practicing basic decency. But I'm guessing this is really about the fact that they annoy you, isn't it?
Actually...
That 6 feet pretty much assumes standing still with no wind. When you are running, or even walking about, you are leaving a constant stream of particles in your wake, ones that linger for a fairly long time. And that land on a variety of surfaces which others may contact.
Stay indoors.
Stay indoors.
You are correct. The emphasis on social distancing was all wrong. It should have been stated that unless you have an essential reason to be outside then you shouldn't be outside. If you do have an essential reason to be outside, such as a grocery run not a run run, then stay 6 ft away fro people.
Exercise is essential
Exercise is essential. Shelter-in-place orders (such as in California) recognize this.
Each of us has an obligation to maintain physical and mental health to the best of his or her ability, as we're in this for a good while. Think of going for a daily run or exercise walk as a home-front contribution to the effort, like conserving gasoline or planting a victory garden was during WWII.
With that said, you don't need to go to a popular spot to get that walk or run and contribute to crowding. Use a little creativity and imagination: there is lots of under-utilized territory out there, and many streets are pretty deserted right now. Spread yourselves out and save lives.
Get your exercise indoors.
Get your exercise indoors.
Also can workout indoors if
Also can workout indoors if you don’t have access to large open spaces. Just until things calm down. This isn’t going to last forever.
It's all a matter of careful tradeoffs
Working out indoors reduces the contagion risk. Working out outdoors raises Vitamin D levels, mitigates some degree of depression, etc.
Stay far from other people. Not just "oh, about 6 feet," but far. Don't touch stuff other people have touched or will touched (skip the public chin-up bar, watch what you're leaning on, etc.) Scrub when you come back in.
Must be nice to have a huge house to yourself
For some people there isn't any space to do much of anything indoors. We walk at night or in the mornings when there aren't many other people around and about. Or go for a road bike ride. No big deal.
My condo is less than 600
My condo is less than 600 square ft and I still have room to do some sit ups and a spin bike. Stop trying to guilt people into changing their view on things. Some people that are working out outdoors are not being safe. Valid point.
True, but not the point
Yes, some. Just as some people who drive cars don't do it safely....
... so are we going to ban an activity because some people do it in a way that endangers others?
Citations needed
I've actually worked on studies of how viruses move about office cube areas and are affected by ventilation.
This sounds like utter bollocks to me:
Being outside leads to settling and dispersal as the conditions rarely achieve a steady state in a localized area. You need stable conditions of turbulence in a relatively localized, closed environment to promote airborne viral particle suspension for any lengthy period of time. Even if viral particles are carried by wind, they become dispersed and dessicated and denatured by UV light. Hazardous aerosol viral suspension dynamics are far more often found inside walled areas than outside.
TL/DR: jogging, walking, and cycling outside is fine so long as you keep your distance and don't spit goo blobs everywhere.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23790506
https://www.wired.com/story/they-say-coronavirus-isnt-airborne-but-its-d...
Jogger ran by me yesterday so
Jogger ran by me yesterday so close I could smell her breath. This happens all the time in the city but under the circumstances that’s way too close. I’m not against people jogging outside but they need to be considerate of others. Especially now.
I'll listen to the
I'll listen to the professionals that say being outside is fine but practice social distancing. Runners do not leave the virus in there wake. THERE IS NO WAKE. As for anything on the pavement, the payment has always been a no-go zone. Be realistic and donate your hoarded masks and sanitizer
Then why are they still spitting
They need to stop spitting.
That’s the point
Runners seem to think the rules don’t apply to them, these firgs are weaving in and around physically-distanced pedestrians like they’re marathon competing. There is hardly anyone out and they still have to do that? Orange ’tards.
It's ridiculous. There's a
It's ridiculous. There's a psycho in a wheelchair rolling around Fallon Field in Roslindale harassing children and adults telling them that the park is closed and then calling the cops & 311 on them. Mass.gov states that play structures are closed but parks remain open for passive recreation. She even went as far as to tell a dad & son they can't play catch with a baseball. We are allowed to get fresh air. Elizabeth needs to stay inside and find a hobby. 311 is tired of being clogged up with her foolish requests of padlocks & chains for parks.
This is directly from Boston
This is directly from Boston.gov:
> Although parks remain open for "passive recreation" (such as walking or jogging) at this time, park users are advised to follow guidelines recommended by the Boston Public Health Commission:
> Practice social distancing (remain at least six feet away from other people).
> Wash hands, utilize hand sanitizer, and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your inner elbow.
> Limit time in public areas and avoid congregating in groups.
> Stay home if you feel sick.
https://www.boston.gov/news/coronavirus-covid-19-updates-boston-parks-an...
https://youtu.be/e0-2XxgHIXk
https://youtu.be/e0-2XxgHIXk
Seen the same kids play for
Seen the same kids play for 16 years at the same basketball court , can’t take their only place of peace from them go inside and worry about yourselves . Only person ruining anything is y’all , get a grip stay in your penthouse .
Penthouse Bahahahaha. I wish
Penthouse Bahahahaha. I wish
Kids?
"Seen the same kids play for 16 years at the same basketball court"
Then they're not kids anymore are they? Therefore they should know better in this time when we all need to do our part to control the spread of this virus.
People making complaints
People making complaints about the Parks should Mind there Own Business!....
Those people reporting might
Those people reporting might save your grandparents lives. Or yours.
Not if people are following the rules
The city decided the rules. People not following the rules need to be stopped.
People following the rules should not be harassed by paranoid ninnies who need to get a life or at least learn the science behind those rules.
They need to take a break
It would be nice if they make it to their 17th year on that court, don’t you think? Along with all your friends and neighbors and anybody else around you. Have you seen the refrigerator truck that’sAt the hospital in Queens because there are so many bodies there’s no place to put them? I bet some of those people liked watching basketball pickup games too.
Seen the same kids play for
Are the teenagers from 16 years ago still playing there?
Then they aren’t kids any more and can be expected do behave better.
This is an opportunity to find some other physical activity that isn’t as exposing.
Seriously. Are people THAT locked in to their behaviors?
An opportunity to find NEW sources of peace and social engagement and exercise is at hand.
I thought kids liked novel activities, no?
They aren’t unimaginative kids, I reckon. Y’all stay safe now, ‘hear?
Think Marcus Smart & Utah Jazz
Here's your model
A couple of players don't know that they are carrying the SARS-COV-2 virus -- they have no obvious symptoms. They engage in a fairly intense pickup game with some other players -- sweat, spit files about everywhere. The result at least one other player is infected.
Only difference between the actual scenario and the above -- it was an NBA game just before its "Quarantine" for the season. The two players [virus carriers] were from the Utah Jazz [both immediately after tested positive]. The beneficiary of their attention was Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics -- he later tested positive.
Note none of the participants was much older than 30! They all were in better than average conditioning, with no obvious problems with their immune system.
People are that Bored!!!
Who in their right state of mind files complains with 311?
1- If it is really bothering you that people are outside playing basketball or jogging, then go out there and let them know directly.
2-Those people that are outside enjoying their lives can’t get you exposed so why is it bothering you.
People just don’t know how to mind their business!!!
Really?
"Those people that are outside enjoying their lives can’t get you exposed so why is it bothering you."
Really? Did you really just say that? Did you have to study to be that dumb? You didn't use a question mark where it should be either, but I'll let that one slide.
can’t get others exposed? Are
can’t get others exposed? Are you serious? Ok here ya go. If I catch virus at work then play basketball and spread it to my friend then my friend brings it home to his wife and so on...
That’s how if people that are just outside playing basketball or talking closely or sharing a joint can spread it to people that are staying in.
Oh and I added the joint
Oh and I added the joint thing because I have a couple of friends that thought it was harmless to smoke together to relieve the stress of Covid 19.
The more contagion within
The more contagion within society the more likely vulnerable people get it.
They are indeed risking all of society with their selfish actions. Parks should be closed and citations and if necessary arrests should be made to safeguard everyone else.
OMFG how do you not
OMFG how do you not understand this?
Your "friend" "officer laney" (really we all know it's just you, but let's play along), has the virus and his sweaty hands get it all over the ball and then your other "friend" "South end resident" (also still just you, but we're still playing along) gets the ball and makes a sweet stutter-step between the legs dribble and jukes you out of your jockstrap as he blows past and throws down a monster dunk. But he got the virus all over his hands now and he wipes his brow and he's infected. Also, when you all shake hands at the end you all get it. Then "South end resident" goes to his "job at MGH" and spreads it to the nurses and other patients. They get sick and some die. Plus, you go home and spread it to your grandma. She gets sick and dies.
But hey, at least you got to play some ball.
Nexr problem coming fast
With the shut down of all eating establishments in the city we are depriving one specie of animals of their food source usually found in dumpsters and in alleys. Get ready for the invasion of starving subway rats the size of rabbits roaming the streets of Boston.
29 comments
And we're not going to talk about that dude at the edge of the key ballin' in a dress shirt?
He's wide open!
He's wide open!
Middlesex Fells
Just to add, Middlesex Fells in Stoneham ... I've been going there for 30 years, and yesterday (Saturday) was the busiest I've ever seen it, by far. Not even close. Cars lining the roads, parking on grass, median, etc. At the very least, ticket those mofos. But it was just insane. Groups of people at both of the towers, jamming the trails, etc. I overhead a woman saying "I feel like I'm getting more exercise now with this COVID thing!" Really? Get your fat ass on an indoor exercise bike! Just totally out of control.
They should start towing the dangerously parked cars
I have been enjoying the Fells at off times (I live close enough to enjoy the occasional Howlalujah Coyote Chorus), but it is getting ridiculous and dangerous in the late afternoons and on weekends. Cars are lined up next to NO PARKING ANYTIME signs on roads that are too narrow for this shit. I know people who live on South Border Road and they are massively pissed off. There have been accidents.
General rule: if the parking lot is full, the trails are too full. Move on to another place or drive further out to a less popular spot. I wanted a beach walk and tried a couple of places until I found one that wasn't over full so I wouldn't endanger anyone. If you are already in a car, a couple of miles and a new spot won't kill you.
youth dont care
Sadly, I saw scores of kids the past few days.. Some all piled into cars, some all riding bikes, some playing in parks. Its happening everywhere. They are all spreading it then returning home to their families who are spreading it more and more. I dont have a teenager, so easier said than done, but I'd prohibit them for leaving the house. Either way, kids dont seem to care. Socializing is more important to them than stopping the spread.