By adamg on Sat., 4/25/2020 - 4:34 pm
A roving UHub photographer captured the scene this afternoon. OK, no, we have no idea when these folks got their croquet set. On the one hand, it's almost charming, and we're hope the holes they left in the grass of the Public Garden did no permanent damage. On the other hand: Jesus, have you guys not seen the news for the last month?
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Comments
Face covering vs seatbelts
By tblade
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 1:23am
You assert that local governments don’t have the right to mandate face coverings. That assertion is not backed up, it’s just asserted.
I don’t know that governments do have the right to mandate face coverings, but some local governments have, so that is one example that challenges that assertion.
In addition to local governments mandating face masks, they have mandated that passengers in motor vehicles wear seatbelts, to which you say that being a passenger in a car is a privilege and therefore it’s ok that government implements laws mandating the use of protective equipment (seatbelts).
I guess I fail to see how traveling down the street in the back seat of a car is different than walking down the street insofar as the government’s purview to make laws pertaining to each concerning personal and public safety.
Jaywalking is regulated, as another example. One rationale for seatbelts is to save other passengers from the dangers of your projectile body after a crash. Jaywalking is not only about the safety of pedestrians, but for the safety of drivers and passengers.
Similarly, face covering use is has come about to protect others. I have a hard time accepting the assertion that local governments “don’t have the right†to mandate face coverings from a clear public health threat.
Obviously, I am not a lawyer, but on the surface “the government doesn’t have the right†seems like an argument pulled out of thin air.
Government authority
By Stevil
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 9:24am
Varies by level. And there isn't necessarily a hierarchy. Public health (like insurance and some other regulations) is largely in the hands of the states which is why we'll never have a national mandate. The only person that MIGHT have this authority is the governor and even the governor's authority is likely limited here. Pretty sure Baker even said that so I'm sure he's had lawyers look at it. No way every mayor this and councilor that can make up rules that impact civil rights, no matter how trivial.
For me, I'll wear a mask if a private biz I want to patronize requires it. Otherwise no way, even if the governor mandates it. Just don't come near me and you'll be fine. I'll return the favor to the best of my ability. If that bothers you, don't go to crowded places. It's your inalienable right.
So, it's you
By perruptor
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 12:23pm
You're the guy who goes to the supermarket without a mask. Now we know.
Actually no
By Stevil
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 12:30pm
Wore it last week and today in a small market. Inside and outside two different things.
Keep trying.
Then you lied
By perruptor
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 1:01pm
FO&D.
So, explain to me why it's
By Vicki
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 8:43am
So, explain to me why it's more constitutional -- or more reasonable -- for them to say that half the population must cover our breasts in public, to avoid titillating or shocking other people, than to say everyone must cover their faces to avoid possibly *killing* other people.
And, constitutional or not, why have you chosen to live in a country and state where the government not only has, but uses, the right to dictate what your fellow citizens wear? A person--of any gender--walking around shirtless might increase their own risk of skin cancer, but not other people's. If "you must wear a mask in public" is restricting your free movement, telling someone else she has to wear a shirt is restricting hers.
I'm not sure I disagree with you
By Stevil
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 9:37am
But there are probably long-standing legal principles that govern public decency laws which have been around in various forms since the dawn of civilization
I remember that protest
By Don't Panic
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 11:36pm
The guys at the State House practically lost their minds!
Your rights end at my nose
By tachometer
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 10:59am
"My right to move freely in public supercedes your or the government's right to dictate what I wear in public. If you don't want to get infected, stay home"
So you get to dictate that other people stay home because you don't want to wear a simple mask? I want to drive ninety miles an hour down neighborhood streets, if you don't want to risk getting mowed down you should just stay home or you can prove to me that I'm going to lose control of the car and end up killing someone.
OK, Typhoid Mary!
By Anon
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 3:41pm
No one is impinging your freedom of movement if you have to wear a mask. Governments can impose restrictions that are appropriate to the situation. Boston's noise ordinance does not overturn the First Amendment, it just means you cannot use your bullhorn at high volume when you declare a minor requirement to be a live free or die moment.
Effective today, Wakefield has instituted a 'masks in public'
By roadman
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 8:06pm
rule. They make an exception for 'reasonable personal exercise' such as walking in your neighborhood where there are few, if any, other people around.
Wakefield is a mess
By J.R. Dobbs
Mon, 04/27/2020 - 9:19am
The median age is like 102, they have several nursing homes, and yet people are driving from neighboring areas to walk around the lake on top of each other.
THE SIDEWALK IS 4 FEET WIDE AND MAYBE 2/10 PEOPLE ARE WEARING MASKS.
Might be some very nice real estate available there in the next year.
This is why
By Brian Riccio
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 4:50pm
I strongly object to the Beacon Hill and Back Bay bike crowd being on this tear to close Storrow so that more privileged idiots can not social distance and then put it on their social media.
Careful, friend
By Waquiot
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 5:06pm
There’s vocal support from some on this website.
Well...
By Brian Riccio
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 5:23pm
Josh Zakim today: "This was the route of my (masked, socially distanced) run today. Back Bay>Gov. Center/W. End>Greenway>Ft Point>Chinatown. A beautiful day, but I am incredibly disappointed in how few ppl are wearing masks & SocialDistancing. A lot of dangerous, selfish assholes out there."
Just now from the East Boston Facebook group:"Just an FYI
If you’re nervous about being in contact with anyone, stay away from Breman St Park
No one has on masks, and definitely within 6 feet of passing each other. If you’re not worried, enjoy!"
I already got into it this AM from a vocal proponent of the idea of turning Storrow into Mem Drive on the weekends during this crisis. Only problem is that the poster, who espouses a car free and bike only lifestyle, works for Wayfair. The company that you can only get goods from delivered by giant gas guzzling trucks.
I'll take my chances.
At least (hopefully)...
By Charles Bahne
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 5:33pm
At least, and hopefully, we won't see the giant Wayfair trucks on Storrow.
That's a horrible reason to
By anon
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 6:06pm
That's a horrible reason to be dismissive of someone. Not many people are fortunate enough to have a perfectly ethical, aligned-with-their-values employer in this era of capitalism.
Also you can't play croquet on Storrow.
Privileged? I don't know
By anon
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 5:41pm
Privileged? I don't know about you, but as a neighbor of the Shattuck Hospital and a regular rider of the Orange Line from Forest Hills to North Station, most of the people not wearing masks are the homeless with no place to even take a shower after a couple of weeks. You should hang out on Causeway Street, or Downtown Crossing. Those poor people certainly don't look privileged.
I think the idea with that is
By some internet weirdo
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 6:37pm
I think the idea with that is to allow more space so the people who aren't dumbasses can actually keep their distance from those who are. I like to run but I can't do it outside at all these days because it's too crowded, especially on sidewalks and paths. If I have the whole width of Storrow to try to help me avoid people, it might be better.
before rushing to public
By anon
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 5:25pm
before rushing to public judgement it might be wise to:
1.) confirm that this does in fact break social distancing guidelines. These people may live with each other
2.) acknowledge that the CDC recommends masks be worn in public when social distancing guidelines may be difficult to adhere to, such as enclosed spaces (they specifically site grocery stores, pharmacy, etc). The risk of outdoor transmission in public parks is in fact quite low due to the dispersion of particles due to wind and natural spacing of people. You may forgo a mask in a park and still be adhering to CDC guidance.
3.) focused outdoor recreation is an essential activity to human health and well-being, as acknowledged by Baker and public health officials. As mentioned above, the risk of SARS-Cov-2 transmission is this setting is quite limited
moralistic lecturing will not serve the interest of the public health. It will divide, and in the long run (and we will be dealing with COVID for many months to years) we will be ill served such rhetoric. This is a marathon, not a sprint. We out to treat each other charitably and put forth a sustainable and science-based public response to decrease transmission.
and yes, I am spending my day caring for vented COVID patients.
moralistic lecturing
By Miaow
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 6:41pm
Is exactly what your post is...
Ah yes, the moral police from the
By Ari O
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 10:37pm
(shuffles papers)
Centers for Disease Control.
I'm inclined to believe them.
100%
By Ari O
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 10:38pm
Watching people drive around in their cars with masks on so they don't get coronavirus from … the no other people in their cars, but the mask gets wet and loses efficacy for wherever they are going …
Or maybe they don't want to
By anon
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 8:53pm
Or maybe they don't want to touch the mask with their potentially dirty hands?
If you're making multiple stops during one trip
By J.R. Dobbs
Mon, 04/27/2020 - 9:24am
Then leaving your mask on and not taking it on and off is much safer than removing it with gloved hands.
Also, you have NO idea who has a compromised immune system or is currently undergoing cancer treatment.
So,
1.) Mind Your Business.
2.) See "1"
THANK YOU. Masks have become
By Milwaukee Mike
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 11:49pm
THANK YOU. Masks have become the go-to for idiots to scold strangers. People are scared and masks as something highly visible they can latch onto; their outrage is the closest they can get to a feeling of control in the midst of all this. I'll wear one in a store. I'll wear one if there's a lot of foot traffic. But when I can stay 50 feet away from other people? Nope.
One other thing: having a mask on doesn't make you indestructible. I'm getting a little tired of assholes getting up close and personal in public spaces without thinking about it because they're wearing masks. If I can stick out a foot and trip you, you're too f---inkg close.
Lastly, I remember that long ago era--about a month ago--when we were repeatedly told that masks weren't necessary. Right up until they were. This is an unprecedented and fluid situation. Many talented people are working hard to find a solution to this, but let's not pretend for a second that they aren't figuring this out as they go.
I don't get what's wrong with
By Refugee
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 5:44pm
I don't get what's wrong with it. They're maintaining distance from other people. Pedestrians on the sidewalk might be spreading more germs to more people than this group is.
Well hopefully they live
By anon
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 6:11pm
Well hopefully they live together, and I'm not sure it's ever okay to use the PG as your croquet pitch, of all places. Otherwise I agree with you (though I don't think passing pedestrians are worth too much worry, either). Only decent sunny day in a 12-day stretch here, let people get their properly distanced fresh air and sunlight.
They are commandeering a lot
By wrong often
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 11:57pm
They are commandeering a lot of park space for very few people and violating park regulations. Nothing really serious, but certainly selfish as can be.
A bit douche-baggy.
But I don't care other than you are blind to it.
THIS is why im not leaving the house until March
By Old Groucho
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 6:00pm
Aren't we supposed to be the "smart ones" up here far north of the Mason Dixon?
From what I saw today it's easily 8 to 1 non-mask wearers out there today, and that's being generous.
Aren't we supposed to be the
By Refugee
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 10:01pm
No, considering how much lower the severity south of the Mason Dixon, Boston is among the "dumb ones".
You don't do...
By Stevil
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 10:04pm
...stats or demographics or infrastructure much, do you? To say nothing of epidemiology.
Well, I know statistically
By Refugee
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 9:35pm
Well, I know statistically North Carolina has both a bigger popualtion and fewer cases than Massachusetts, infrastructurally is south of the Mason Dixon line, and epidemiologically didn't hold a global biotech conference at the Marriott at the start of a pandemic.
What else am I missing?
Exactly
By Stevil
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 9:53pm
You said it best yourself.
Ah, so you're implying
By anon
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 8:55pm
Ah, so you're implying because we have higher density, higher population, higher infection numbers, we're dumb for the virus having an easier time to spread? Got it, Mr. Smart.
You don't understand how disease spreads, do ya?
By J.R. Dobbs
Mon, 04/27/2020 - 9:26am
It hasn't hit them YET.
Took Comm ave home from
By dotORnot
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 6:27pm
Took Comm ave home from dropping my spouse off at work witnessed a bridal photo shoot happening and many others just hanging out. The issue isn’t people being out and taking a stroll it is them being stationary in public. If you are out keep it moving don’t park your butt in the grass and set up shop.
Typical do as I say, not as I
By Murkin
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 7:19pm
Typical do as I say, not as I do Massachusetts elitist liberal.
Typical stupid judgmental conservative
By Parkwayne
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 7:29pm
...who has no idea if these people are liberals, conservatives, idiots (er... I mean libertarians) but assumes they are both liberals and elitists.
Let me know when your leaders like Hannity are going out in public spaces and going to busy stores or perhaps STFU.
I wasn't born in
By Milwaukee Mike
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 11:58pm
I wasn't born in Massachusetts but I got here as fast as I could.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
You could leave
By lbb
Mon, 04/27/2020 - 12:00pm
I think there's room in Kansas.
Common
By anon
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 7:27pm
Bad for four people to be playing in wide open common, yet today at Blue Hills it was packed, so many people hiking/walking today.
Differences
By cybah
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 8:32pm
I'm glad to see this post because I noticed something today...
I had to venture further than the block around my house as I had to go do some errands and then stop at work to pick up some stuff for work.
DTX - Dead dead dead, except for a large group of like 15 guys all on the stair-thing near Old Navy. And occasional spots of people NOT practicing social distances (pairs. trios of people)
Next stop.. Central (amazon package drop off). The whole damn park in front of the CSB/Amazon/CVS side of Mass Ave @ Magazine/River/Prospect was FULL of people. I had to walk way around to avoid everyone.
Final Stop.. Davis (work). Both work locations in Davis (we have two) are off the Bike path. Lots of people out, all practicing distance. People with masks (except runners) everywhere. Same with CVS and b.fresh too.
Of course, as much as I do not like to 'peg' homeless people but my neighbor corrected me and said that probably DTX and Central were homeless people vs the Somerville crowd.
Still very stark, noticeable difference.
My first reaction...
By EC
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 9:35pm
Upon seeing the photograph I thought: the Public Garden is not the right place for any type of game playing- It’s a botanical garden, not a park or playground, and it’s very nice for a stroll! If we weren’t experiencing this pandemic, the Boston Common would be a better choice to set up a croquet set.
Fun in Boston
By Ari O
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 10:43pm
is banned.
Per regulations, thou shalt not have any fun! Amongst the many banned things:
No person shall […] play ball or any other game or sport.
(Unless you have a permit.)
Death penalty!
By anon
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 7:38am
Kidding, but don't fuck with the Garden!
Seriously, I'm not advocating execution but I'd be all for 30 days in jail and years of community service in the Garden.
It's a civic treasure that needs to be respected.
(No need to even comment on the lack of social distancing- plenty of that elsewhere.
Croquet belongs on the Common
By anon
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 1:48pm
Get that equipment out of the Public Garden. Oh, and you are truly ignorant assholes for demonstrating your coolness during a public health crisis.
I guess they believe in "Que sera, sera"
By noahproblem
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 3:51pm
Let's see who gets that reference...
Whatever will be, will be
By perruptor
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 4:00pm
After they kill off all us olds, nobody will get that.
That's what it translates to, but
By noahproblem
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 4:17pm
that wasn't totally what I was referencing.
(I do agree that does seem to be their sentiment though.)
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