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Walsh: Practice social distancing; don't make him impose fines and call out the police
By adamg on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 3:05pm
Mayor Walsh said today that while most Bostonians are taking social distancing to heart, there are still too many people clustering together at local parks, beaches and stores, and that as an anticipated surge of cases approaches the state, he's going to be watching carefully and doing what he feels he has to to curb the virus, and that if he changes his mind, it could be within a couple days.
"I don't want to issue fines and I don't want to send police officers out," he said, as Police Commissioner William Gross stood a good social distance behind him. But "these steps will be inevitable" if people don't knock it off, he said.
"It's going to be difficult and hard," he said of social distancing, but it needs to be done to fight the potentially fatal disease, he said. "I'm concerned not everyone is listening."
He added this goes to members of extended families getting together at each other's homes or to go shopping - that's not social distancing when any one of them might be infected, he said. He said that when he goes out to get his mother a coffee, he leaves it on her steps, then calls to let her know it's there - he doesn't want to risk anything happening to her.
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Comments
Stop & Shop, Star Market not helping
I've been to both in recent days, and there is no one monitoring how many people enter the store or making sure people stay far enough apart in the checkout lines. No tape on the floor or outside on the sidewalk, as Trader Joe's is doing.
Home Depot is even worse
Went in and immediately left but just getting to the exit forces you to squeeze by the people in line not six feet apart. People are totally unaware, standing there middle of isles not trying to give each other space at all. I get people are bored and want to do home projects but maybe an order in advance and have workers bring it out to the car or pick up at the door would be better.
Exactly Why this approach may be wrong
It's interesting because in order to quarantine, you need to actually quarantine. This approach we have MAY be making matters worse, simply because by making some businesses essential and some non essential, you funnel people to the essential ones. Having more of the population at less stores seems like it could be the perfect way to spread the virus. This is why China's authoritarian approach of welding people in apartment buildings and blocking off clusters, neighborhoods, and whole cities worked, but ours approach isnt.
Its also worth noting that Sweden has a far less strict approach than we do. They have schools open, and most businesses and restaurants are open. They do have some rules about capacities and crowding but they are far less strict than ours or the rest of Europe. Interestingly enough, their cases numbers are extremely similar..
Sweden- population 10 million
1st case jan 30
1st death- Elderly person (over 70) March 11
Toal cases as of April 4-6000
Total Deaths April 14-300
MA population 7.5 million
-First case Late Feb, early March?
First Death: Elderly person (87) March 20th
Total cases as of April 4 10,400
Total Deaths April 4: 198
I realize that this is pretty simple data and there are all sorts of variables of why this may or may be the case, but I woukd like to see more data like it.
"Stay The F*ck At Home" by Samuel L. Jackson
https://youtu.be/YUakLzaboMo
I agree with him
But what fine or law is on the books which could be enforced?
Being stupid is not a crime
If it's nighttime
If it's nighttime they could drag out the old "common nightwalking" law they used to use to bust male hustlers in the 70s.
tresspassing, but then probably thrown out
Enforcement and fines might help drive home the message. If an area is posted as closed, then it's probably misdemeanor tresspassing, at the minimum. Maybe also some sort of emergency order violation.
On the other hand, my bet is that any fines and/or convictions are dismissed in one way or another.
* I'm obviously not a lawyer. Just guessing.
Marty -Zip ties are not working
If you look at the recent 311 complaints , there are several incidents of people removing the zip ties and playing basketball . One person suggests chains with locks.
Police enforcement may be necessary
City ordinance duh
Write one up
Open up some streets to pedestrians Marty
For the love of god, people need the space to be able to properly social distance.
You never
Wast an opportunity to hate drivers. It’s old!
Wasted opportunity for spell checking
Also, where is the hate on drivers?
This is just about temporarily re-allocating public space for public health needs, wouldn't you agree that the status quo kinda needs to change?
Next.
Yes and put down some speed humps ...
.... on others.
Close the beaches and parks!
So people will be forced to walk around their neighborhoods. Should work well in the neighborhoods like Chinatown, the North End, East Boston and South Boston.
Gov. Baker is closing beach parking lots
at least those that belong to the state rather than the city. He is not closing the beaches themselves, but wants only people who can walk to them to use them.
I feel this is biased
against people who can't walk to a beach.
Coffee delivery every day?
Order her a machine and supplies, and have her quarantine the delivery for a few days before opening.
Anybody caught virus on the beach?
It might be more persuasive if he could point to one person who is sick because they contracted the virus walking on the beach or playing basketball in a city park.
The beaches are open.
The basketball nets are zip tied.
Pointing is rude.
Take your own advice Marty
https://whdh.com/news/its-just-not-right-walsh-blasts-racism-asks-diners...
This is from a month and a
This is from a month and a half ago. It's like you got to stay current on current events or something, unless you want the world to pass you by.
Almost like
Coronavirus gives af about that