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Decisions have a short shelf lifeduring a pandemic.

On the afternoon of Thursday, March 19, Ted McGreer was intent on keeping open Ted's Shoe and Sport, on Main Streetin Keene, New Hampshire. His nine employees needed the money. And his customers needed sneakers and orthotics for the solitary walks and runs that had become their sole reasons to venture outside. Even as traffic dropped to 10 or 15 customers a day, the staff was frantically wiping down pens, door handles, and credit card keypads. For regular clients with predictable shoe sizes and preferences, McGreer offered curbside service and home delivery.

The next morning McGreer spoke up at a virtual town hall for the Keene business community,a recurring event established by the city's mayor, George Hansel, for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.He expressed gratitude for the "kind, generous, and compassionate" customers who continued to support the business. Then he mentioned that weekend marked the store's 20thanniversary. "But I am uneasy for the health of my employees," he said. "So I am going to come out and say we are closing retail operations. I feel sick to my stomach about it."

McGreer concluded, "I love each and every one of you. We are in this together."

Keene, with a population of around 23,000, is avibrant city in a bucolic corner of southwest New Hampshire. The business district, composed of about 150 mostly family-owned stores, is clustered on Main Street, a leafy boulevard of trim brick buildings. There is the Keene Statecollege campus, a nearly century-old theater, and a gazebo. Tourism has been rising every year. A $30 million arts-and-culture corridor is in the works.

Keene's business owners compete, of course. Still, it is the kind of place where a restaurateur who runs out of mixed greens will borrow some from the bistro down the street. Where veteran merchants mentor a newbie opening her first store. And where business owners describe other business owners as family. So even as fears of Covid-19 shutter store after store and merchants weigh unpleasantdecisions, Keene's business owners are closing ranks as never before. "We already have a strong sense of community here and we are building on that," says Hansel, the mayor. "I think that will make the difference in weathering this storm."

The power of a clever promotion

Even as McGreer grieves the temporary closing of Ted's Shoe and Sport, he is thinking how to help his fellow merchants. In the works: a store-sponsored virtual run. Participants will pay $20 to register online, andthen do a 5K witnessed only by their cellphones. McGreer will transfer 100 percentof the proceeds to gift cards for use at local businesses chosen by the runners.

If the generosity is typical of McGreer, the creativity shows the influence of Luca Paris, McGreer's best friend. Paris launched Luca's Mediterranean Caf in 2000, the same year McGreer opened his shoe store: The two businesses bookend Main Street.He is a zealous booster of Keene's small businesses, including other restaurants, whose owners he talks about and sometimes interviews on his weekly radio program.

Paris's greatest strength is his promotions: He is an imaginative and puckish marketer. Last week when the governor mandated delivery and curbside service only for restaurants, he pulled out rolls of toilet paper from storage, slapped on stickers with the restaurant's logo, and wrote on their wrappers "We've Got Your Back ... Side." One roll went into every bag heading out the door to customers. "My only goal was to make people happy," Paris says. "Now, oh my God, they are all over Facebook!"

Paris also sometimes borrows ideas from others, like when he recently urged business owners to buy meals for their staffs and to patronize a different local restaurant each time. He got that from Jerel Gomarlo, the third-generation owner of Gomarlo's Shop 'n' Save Supermarket, which is a few minutes away in Swanzey, New Hampshire.

While Covid-19 panic has tripled the supermarket's business, it all but closed the small restaurant next door, so Gomarlo started buying breakfast there for a staff that has now swelled to almost 40. The next day he expanded the practice to lunch and has been spending between $500 and $700 each day at a different Swanzey or Keene establishment.

"I know if I had to shut my doors for any length of time, more than likely we wouldn't open back up," Gomarlo says. "This might help them get by a little bit."

Shutting down, but paying it forward

Last June, Taryn Fisher opened the Keene Fine Craft Gallery in an elegant brick building directly across Central Square from Luca's Mediterranean Caf. The store, which markets products from the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, is a decorator's dream of graceful blown glass, delicate prints, and saturated color textiles.

At Keene's first virtual town hall, on March 17, Fisher listened to one of her mentors, Good Fortune Jewelry & Pawn owner Roger Weinreich, speak eloquently about merchants' responsibility to the community and the importance of "flattening the curve." Weinreich and his wife and co-owner, Maddie, were in self-imposed lockdown following travel abroad and had transitioned their store to by-appointment only. His words struck home for Fisher, who that same day closed her store, hanging in her window a large sign: "CV-19 Pandemic Update. Need to shop? Contact us via email. We'll make an appointment." But passers-by still wandered in. So on Friday, after hearing McGreer announce his closing, Fisher took the final step and locked her door.

"I am shut down and it hurts. It just hurts," Fisher says. Her isolation is especially painful because she has no employees. Two days before shutting downshe was sitting in her store, miserable and alone, when Perparime Abdullahu, owner of the neighboring Indian restaurant Royal Spice, dropped by to check on her. The two got to talking, and Abdullahu ended up ordering a custom plaque engraved with her children's names: a $225 sale.

As Abdullahu left, she told Fisher she was on her way to pick up lunch from Luca's, and further impressed on her the need to support the community.So Fisher got lunch theretoo,and the next day ordered from Yahso Jamaican Grille, a new downtown business. Naturally, she posted a Facebook video touting both restaurants.

Inspired by the spirit of camaraderie, the following day Fisher called Shannon Hundley, managing partner of Life Is Sweet, a candy store and bakeryacross the street, and offered to hand out $5 coupons for treats to the gallery's customers who came by for appointments. Because Life Is Sweet didn't have ready-made coupons, "I will just write $5 on my business card and give them that," said Fisher. "Go and get a free cupcake. It's on us." (Fisher is picking up the tab for now. She and Hundley haven't discussed how they'll work it out later.)

Fisher expectsto make a red-or-green decision inlate April. "Red is:It is over. I am toast," she says. "Green is:I can do this. Just hang on." One or two businesses may not survive, she concedes. "But people here have been working on Main Street for 20 years or more. They are doing what they can to keep this thing alive."

Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled the last name of Ted's Shoe and Sport owner Ted McGreer.

Published on: Mar 25, 2020

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How a Group of New Hampshire Entrepreneurs Are Leaning on One Another to Stay in Business - Inc.

This is one of a series of guest columns from candidates in contested races in the May 12 West Virginia Primary Election.

Any parent or grandparent knows that children will happily spend the better part of any nice day at the spray park. April Dawn Park in Milton used to be the only spray park in the area. A small corner in town with a few swings and things to climb on, with controlled patterns of water spouting out in the wet area, can provide hours of fun for children. It also has a beautiful picnic facility. Now Barboursville has a spray park and soon St. Clouds will have one. This was so needed in West Huntington and will, no doubt, be a busy destination for families.

A community center in the area would be another great addition, as has proven to be true in other parts of the city. Caring area residents and volunteers have made these facilities neighborhood hubs for youth and adults. Were so fortunate in Huntington to be among community-minded professionals who volunteer and organize activities at these centers. West Huntington is home to a large population of senior citizens, many of whom, like myself, are lifelong residents of the area. There is also a large senior citizens home on Madison Avenue. As much as seniors would benefit from informational sessions or just get-togethers at a great meeting place like a community center, they happen to be the people who have lived the longest and have accumulated the most wisdom to share with each other and everyone else. From help with homework to sporting activities, coordination of neighborhood watch programs, speakers and an occasional dinner, community centers are important to the areas that they serve.

I would like to see a Huntington Police field office in West Huntington. Huntington police officers are also great volunteers. Bringing residents and police officers together facilitates safer neighborhoods for people and for police officers.

Central City has so many unique places to visit that you wont find anywhere else, with some new small businesses dotted in the area. Of course, we want to see more of them. The Central City Days event is an annual reminder of everything the area has to offer. You can shop, eat and relax with a book any day of the year there. The gazebo on 14th Street West is available to rent for special events. West Huntington puts on a stellar Veterans Day parade every year that everyone should see.

I am a life-long resident of West Huntington. I know many of the residents and business owners well. Many of you know that I served as a county magistrate until my retirement last year. I spent years assisting people and families in resourcing the help that they needed. I think West Huntington needs a focused representative who is determined to address the needs of the area. I believe that I can do that.

Johnny McCallister is a Democratic candidate for Huntington City Council seeking to represent District 2.

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Johnny McCallister: West Huntington needs focused representative - Huntington Herald Dispatch

Rotherham-based Gala Tent is becoming more creative and has a number of solutions for those affected by COVID 19.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos. The group has seen a 5% growth at the end of the first quarter of 2020 and is still confident of further growth, despite the threat of the coronavirus and its impact on businesses.

Based at Fairfield Park in Manvers, Gala Tent has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, supplying organisations including the military, NHS, the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police.

Jason Mace, managing director at Gala Tent, said: "I believe the country has a rough ride ahead over the next quarter, but we remain optimistic as in these types of situations is where Gala Tent becomes more creative.

"We are already seeing signs of where we can provide a vital service. The emergency services are some of our biggest market bases right now, where our Patent covers and easy to deploy pop up frameworks provide instant cover for Crime Scene Investigations, and we are also seeing an uptake in orders for tents for storage for hospitals. We are also ready to deploy portable hygiene testing tents when we get the go ahead."

Mace has already pledged that his staff will be paid in full until this pandemic is over.

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Darren Perry, sales manager at Gala Tent, said: "We have even had orders where individuals who would normally take their mother for Sunday Lunch have chosen to order a Gala Tent instead. Mums love the garden so why not? And especially if they are to isolate for up to three months, it seems to be the most logical gift."

Gala's sister company Gala Technology is also enjoying an uptake in business, with its homeworking payment solution SOTpay.

Gala Tent website

Images: Gala Tent

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News: Gala Tent has it covered - Rotherham Business News

Gilmore Girls premiered on the WB network on October 5th, 2000. The show was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as Lorelei and Rory Gilmore, respectively, a mother-daughter duo that makes us laugh and cry and fall in love with them and every one in Stars Hollow week after week for seven seasons. The fast moving, original dialgoue Sherman-Palladino created when writing this series has become iconic and this creators trademark and most recognizable style.

RELATED: 10 Essential Gilmore Girls Episodes To Rewatch Before A Year In The Life Season 2

From the very first line, its clear that this show is different from anything else weve seen. The rate and utterance these actors recite the witty and well-constructed dialogue keeps audiences on their toes and really listening to every word because they know the joke is coming. Its been said that Amy Sherman-Palladinos scripts could be up to ninety pages for just one episode because of how well she could direct her actors to get a lot of dialogue out in the most perfectly entertaining way.

One of the most recognizable places in Stars Hollow is Lukes Diner. Its where Lorelei and Rory eat almost every meal and can frequently be seen there begging for more coffee from the diner owner, Luke.

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: 10 Characters Lorelei Could Have Been With Instead Of Luke

In most of the series, the diner sets on the corner of the Main Street in Stars Hollow and has a classic-looking interior. In the pilot, this diner seems to be tucked away in a somewhat residential area of town, and has more of a cluttered and rustic feel on the inside.

Lauren Graham as Lorelei and Alexis Bledel as Rory share undeniable chemistry that are every other mother and daughter envious. Its clear and stated from the very beginning that their relationship is special and rare because Lorelei had Rory when she was only sixteen years old, so theres a unique mix of friendship and parent-child relationships within this dynamic, but it plays perfectly. The women get each other so well and pick up on one another both as the characters and the actors playing the scenes.

Luke becomes a very important character in the series as the seven seasons play out, but in the pilot, hes more of a fly on the wall, theres to serve coffee and offer a grumpy judgment every once in a while.

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: 10 Crazy Facts You Didn't Notice About Lorelei And Rory

In the opening scene, Lorelei is being hit on by a sketchy guy, when she turns him away, he focuses in on Rory. Luke is standing behind the counter, watching and hearing the entire exchange, but he never steps in to kick the guy out, which is surprising now that we now where Lukes relationships with both. Lorelei and Rory go.

The stage is set perfectly for this show. Stars Hollow is that quiet little east coast town everyone wishes actually existed because everyone would love to live there. It seems as though all the people in Stars Hollow know each other and love each other, even when it doest seem like they do. Stars Hollow is simple. Theres the grocery store, the diner, the dance studio, the school, and the antique store and they all sit pretty close to the main street where in the center of the street, a gazebo sits and becomes an iconic centerpiece for the entire series.

For a show with such quick and quirky dialogue, the story itself moves rather slow, to the point where watching it back, you cant help but wonder if this show would even get made today.

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: 10 Details In Stars Hollow You Never Noticed

The pilot introduces everyone and we get a clear sense of where we are and who we are meeting, but nothing really happens. The show is very character driven, which in the early 2000s was compelling and fun to watch, especially in Sherman-Palladinos world, but today, it could potentially struggle to find its audience.

We meet Sookie, played by Melissa McCarthy, and its clear she is a brilliant, but accident-prone chef. Sookie runs the kitchen at the inn where Lorelei works and the two are very close friends. In one scene of the pilot, Sookie is cooking in the kitchen with her two soups chefs, only the sous chefs arent doing very much cooking. Instead, they follow Sookie around has she almost causes catastrophic incidences in a very short period of time. The scene is so well choreographed and executed, its a stand-out moment for the episode.

One of the main plot points in the pilot is that Rory gets accepted to a prestige private school called Chilton. Its a late acceptance because the school year has already started, but everyone is very excited and happy for Rory nonetheless.

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: 10 Reasons Lorelei & Sookie Aren't Real Friends

When Lorelei gets the acceptance letter, she tells Sookie, who jokingly asks if Lorelei had to sleep with the dean to get Rory into the school. When they tell Rory she got in, Rory makes the same joke and in todays climate, that joke doesnt really play very well.

Another major storyline introduced in the first episode is Rory and Deans love story. Dean is new to Stars Hollow and has been watching and admiring Rory from afar. He finally gets the nerve to talk to Rory on her last day in public school and that exchange makes Rory question her decision to move to private school. Rory and Dean have incredible chemistry right from the start and its obvious these two lovebirds story is only just beginning when we meet them in the pilot.

When Rory gets into Chilten, Lorelei quickly learns that she can not afford Chilten. Luckily, Lorelei comes from very wealthy parents, but un-luckily, she doesnt have the best relationship with her mother or her father. Lorelei, out of options, forces herself to go to parents to ask for the money for Rorys school. They are happy to help, but tell Lorelei she must agree to weekly dinners and phone calls to check in because they want to be a part of her and Rorys life. Lorelei reluctantly agrees, which makes us question Loreleis character because what her parents are asking for doesnt seem outlandish or that it should cause Lorelei to react the way that she does.

NEXT: Gilmore Girls: 5 Characters Who Got Fitting Endings (5 Who Deserved More)

Next10 Things That Happened in Season 1 of Game Of Thrones That You Completely Forgot About

Amelia Brantley is a writer and actor based in Los Angeles, California. Her love for film, television, and theater drove her to pursue her dreams at a young age. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Acting from The American Music and Dramatic Academy and constantly auditions/works in the industry. In addition to writing for ScreenRant, Amelia also blogs, on her own blog, as well as for other entertainment industry online resources. If she isn't writing or self-taping, she's most likely cuddling with her dog, Warner George.

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5 Reasons The Gilmore Girls' Pilot Is Perfect (& 5 It's Not) - Screen Rant

The entrance to a park on Wilson Drive in Fort McMurray, Alta. on Sunday, March 22, 2020. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network

The municipality is keeping trails and walkways open, but has shut down all parks in the region.

This closure includes dog parks, gazebos, playgrounds, community gardens, green spaces, picnic areas and spray parks. Athletic areasincluding baseball fields, basketball courts, cricket pitches, outdoor rinks, skateboard parks, and tennis and volleyball courtsare also included in the ban.

Public washrooms in parks have already been closed to the public.

Signs will be installed informing the public of the closures and restrictions.

People can use the walkways in these areas, but usage of the park amenities is prohibited.

I understand that these are aggressive steps to be taking, but by putting these precautionary measures in place now, we will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect our community, said Mayor Don Scott in a Monday statement. Everyone has a role to play and its important that residents respect these closures, follow public health recommendations and continue to work together.

People that go outside are asked to be vigilant in following all public health recommendations, particularly social distancing. All pets must be on a leash when using trails and walkways.

vmcdermott@postmedia.com

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RMWB closes all parks, keeps trails and walkways open - Fort McMurray Today

A SHOPPING outlet is taking down personal particulars of its patrons as a measure to guard against the spread of Covid-19.

Kompleks Bukit Jambul (KBJ)security and safety manager Eric Voon said they would record names, MyKad and phone numbers of those entering the complex via the main entrance.

He said only the grocery outlet, and several food and beverage outlets at the lower ground and ground floors were open while the first to sixth floors of the complex were sealed off.

Those who want to do their grocery shopping will definitely have to pass through this main entrance.

We will take down their names, MyKad and phone number before they are allowed to enter.

The security station set up at the main entrance of KBJ to record people going in and out of the complex.

By keeping the records of these people, we can know the number of people coming in and going out daily at the complex.

In the event of an unforeseen incident, we should be able to locate them, he said.

Voon added that security guards have been stationed at several entry points to assist shoppers in buying household goods.

He said there were also red markers at the entrance to ensure the people observe social distancing while waiting to enter.

At Prangin Mall, security guards were seen at entry points and walkways leading up to the food and beverage stores in the premises.

Elevator buttons from the first to sixth floor of KBJ are sealed while the grocery and several food outlets on the lower ground are open to the public.

A check by StarMetro found that the guards were also patrolling each floor to ensure that people do not wander aimlessly inside the building.

The guards would approach those at the mall and help them speed up their errands.

Gama senior manager (marketing division) Leong Hau Soon said they had placed yellow markers on the floor to facilitate social distancing at the cashiers.

We put up notices to advise shoppers to queue behind the yellow lines and stay at arms length of one another.

The move is a non-pharmaceutical infection control to prevent the spread of the contagious disease.

We hope shoppers will cooperate with us in this challenging time, she added.

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Malls taking proactive steps to check Covid-19 - The Star Online

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. Starting Monday morning at 6 a.m., St. Johns County will close all public beach parking lots in an effort to "maximize compliance" with the state's latest executive order. The parking lots will be closed until further notice amid efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The county's beaches will remain open.

St Johns County Administrator Hunter Conrad said their beach attendance nearly reached new records this weekend. After evaluating those numbers and consulting with law enforcement officials, they made their decision to close the parking lots at the beaches.

"It is clear that the county needs to take additional steps to further reduce the size of the crowds on our beaches, Conrad said. Our goal is to allow the beaches to remain as accessible as possible to our residents, while still observing CDC guidelines and protecting the health, safety and welfare of our community.

The decision follows a recommendation by the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office, the St. Augustine Beach Police Department, St. Johns County Emergency Management and local health officials as they work to reduce the number of beach-goers at this time.

People can still access St. Johns County beaches through pedestrian walkways, but county officials ask beach-goers to limit gatherings to no more than 10 people. They also remind people to maintain a minimum distance of six feet between other parties in compliance with CDC guidelines.

Social distancing is one of the main ways to combat the spread of COVID-19, along with proper handwashing.

Drivers trying to access the St Johns County beaches are still not allowed at this time. Vehicles remain prohibited on the beach until further notice.

For more information, please call 904-824-5550.

RELATED: 75 cases of coronavirus recorded across First Coast counties; Expanded testing to begin at TIAA Bank Field

RELATED: LIVE BLOG | 75 cases of COVID-19 reported across the First Coast

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Public beach parking to close in St. Johns County after near record number of beach-goers - FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX

The weekend brought an onslaught of cooped-up, stressed-out folks to Southern California beaches, parks and trails.

But Sunday, the public found yellow caution tape draped off a popular basketball court in Laguna Beach; piers in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach blocked to visitors; volleyball courts stripped of their nets on the sand across Los Angeles County.

Some coastal towns were particularly hard hit with an unexpected number of beachgoers over the weekend, raising outrage that not everyone is taking seriously the admonition to stay home or apart to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Im disgusted. Im really disgusted with all the people who came to Laguna Beach yesterday and put all of our lives in jeopardy, Laguna Beach Councilman Peter Blake said Sunday.

This is not a sports place for you to enjoy yourself during a pandemic.

*****

From Malibu to San Clemente, Californians crowded beaches and other outdoor areas. So much so, that some residents are demanding beaches be shut down, and city officials are warning that could just happen if people do not practice social distancing, or maintaining at least six feet from one another.

To be clear, the city does not have the authority to unilaterally close the beaches, San Clemente Mayor Dan Bane wrote on Facebook. But if people do not self-quarantine, he wrote, and continue to congregate in public areas, particularly at beaches, my expectation is that the state will completely close the beaches at some point for everyone.

In Hermosa Beach, officials met Sunday afternoon to call for closing its city-owned beac

Still, city officials were concerned about the crowds.

If you must get outside, please avoid the beach and the Strand, City Manager Suja Lowenthal said. If the number of beachgoers doesnt decrease, she added, city officials will consider other actions, including closure.

The affluent South Bay beach towns shuttered all parks, fields, sports courts and exercise equipment ahead of the weekend.Even small play structures, such as a beloved single dolphin at Torrances Miramar Park was cordoned off with yellow tape and a COVID-19 warning sign.

The South Bays Redondo Beach issued strict safer at home orders to its residents, but did not close its pier or the International Boardwalk.

*****

How cities tackle the coronavirus threat is quickly changing.

On Sunday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcettiannounced plansto close beaches and nearby parking lots at Venice Beach. Garcetti also said he is closing sports and recreation at parks, including public golf courses.

h and walkway to the public, but decided against it, according to a city spokeswoman.

Long Beach closed down allplaygrounds, dog parks, skate parks and other sports facilities in parks and beaches. Mayor Robert Garcia took to Twitter to admonish residents with this message: Seriously people, you need to practice social distancing. I am seeing tons of people out there acting like there is no crisis

In Laguna Beach, Mayor Bob Whalen issued a statement Sunday urging people who dont live in the city to stay away from the beaches. If social distancing is not observed, we will close the beaches.

Everyone can take a walk and exercise outdoors in their own communities. Please do this for the health of everyone in our county, our state and beyond.

Later Sunday, the Laguna Beach City Council met in an emergency closed session and voted to direct city staff to close trail access to the county wilderness parks Monday morning and to close city beaches by Monday evening.

The council also directedstaff to ask the County of Orange to close its beaches in the city or to grant the city permission to do so.The city beach closures would also include closure of adjacent parks, including Main Beach, Heisler and Treasure Island.

In Huntington Beach, the real challenge was thinning out groups on sidewalks and walkways in the downtown area. The city attracted about 5,000 beachgoers on Saturday a low number for a beautiful day, said City Manager Oliver Chi. Still, local police, lifeguards and others did outreach to encourage social distancing.

In the next day or so, officials will consider taking additional measures regarding downtown, the pier and other public spaces, like the citys golf course and the equestrian center, to encourage social distancing but still allow for public access, Chi said.

In Seal Beach, the pier was a big attraction on Saturday but the numbers appeared to wane on Sunday, as the weather changed.

Still, said Seal Beach Councilman Joe Kalmick, Its busier than usual.

But theres one part of town thats staying put. Residents in Seal Beachs Leisure World community, home to some 9,000 older residents, have seen all their club houses, sports courts and other amenities close down.

Theres hardly anyone out, Sandra Massa-Lavitt said. I walk out onto my sidewalk, and I take a couple of deep breaths and I walk in. People have to take personal responsibility. The government cant take care of everybody all the time.

*****

Some trails across Southern California also were overrun with people desperate to get a little fresh air days afterGov. Newsom issued a clampdown on the state.

Whittier residents Hector Castillo and Ashley Monterroso went out for a hike and some fresh air Sunday, enjoying the view from the Jerome C. Daniel Overlook above the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

I was feeling cabin fever, Monterroso said.

Altadena resident Amanda Freeman said she has lived in her home over 25 years and never seen as many cars in her neighborhood, with people looking to hike Eaton Canyon and Millard Canyon.

This is not sheltering in place. This is congregating. This is dangerous, Freeman said Sunday. Everyone is so careful when they go to the grocery store, staying away from each other, then they come here and are crowding and passing each other on crowded trails.

Laguna Beach appeared to be one of the favorite spots this weekend, especially popular Thousand Steps.

The city used an outdoor loudspeaker, a system that went online in March, to remind people to keep a six-foot distance. Laguna Beach police also used drones to keep tabs on people from the sky.

It didnt stop there. Alarmed city officials ordered the beachs basketball hoops taken down, the volleyball net removed and the playground declared off-limits.

Beau Brower, an Orange resident who went for a drive down the coast with his family on Saturday, said he couldnt believe the scene in Laguna Beach.

Laguna was insane. Nobody there is following the CDC recommendations, Brower said.

It was just like any other day.

Staff writers and photographers Erika Ritchie, Leonard Ortiz, Ed Crisostomo, Mike Sprague, Laylan Connelly and David Rosenfeld contributed to this story.

Originally posted here:
Southern Californians who fail to heed coronavirus warnings run into new restrictions especially at the beach - Palos Verdes Peninsula News

FormerTai Tokerau (Northland) MP Hone Harawira is planning to block tourists from entering the Far North to protect locals from the spread of coronavirus.

Harawira saidthe steps to protect thevulnerable by raising New Zealand to Covid-19 alert level four from 11.59pm on Wednesdayhave come"too little too late".

It's a call many other iwiare making in a bid to protect their people, and their resources,before the country heads into a month-long shut down on Thursday.

With support from iwi leaders and Far North MayorJohn Carter, checkpoints will be put in place onSH1 Whakapara and SH12 Waipoua from 12pm on Wednesday, with further checkpoints to be organised for the Kerikeri area.

READ MORE:* Coronavirus: Full coverage*Isolated East Cape community takes matters into its own hands*Coronavirus: Government shuts borders to all but citizens and residents*Hone Harawira gets clear Te Tai Tokerau run for Mana not running against Maori Party in other seats

"Tai Tokerau will suffer from government allowing tens of thousands of tourists into the country beforeclosing the borderlast week," Harawirasaid.

"Thousands of them [have been] roaming freely across the north without being tested, without self-isolating for 14 days, and without giving a damn for us."

The plan is to turn back tourists heading north andask those already in the area to head south, he said.

Arrangements would be made for locals coming home to be tested, while ensuring a "free flow" to those who provided emergency services, food and medical supplies.

123RF

The Waikaremoana Great Walk in Te Urewera is popular among tourists.

He was also planning to distribute a flyer at checkpoints,with an explanation onthe blockades, medical tips and advice for tourists and locals.

Dr Lance O'Sullivan, who was named New Zealander of the Year in 2014 for makingbasic healthcare more accessible for people in the Far North, had agreed to support the checkpoints by organising test kits, protective gear and caravans.

"We've received hundreds of messages of thanks and offers of support over the last 24 hours, and we have talked to Whnau-a-Apanui, police, the mayor, iwi, and health authorities," Harawira said.

He admitted that by setting up the checkpoints the group were putting themselves at risk of contracting coronavirus, but said "we have no choice".

"The country is moving to a war footing and we aim to ensure Tai Tokerau is ready to defend its territory and its people from Covid-19."

The blockades would continue until he's "convincedgovernment is throwing the necessary resources into turning this threat around".

CAMERON BURNELL/STUFF

Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira will set up a blockade for tourists heading to the Far North (file photo).

"We ask whnau to be safe, take care of your kaumatua and kuia, and find ways to keep your kids active and happy in these times of crisis."

And it's not only healthcare iwi are concerned about.

In a small Mori community in Taup, a rhui has been placed on the local foreshore and river.

Waitahanui, which has a population of about 500, has banned fishing, hunting, gathering, swimming, and overnight camping in their area, including all waterways and reserves.

"We are encouraging everyone who does not live in this village to remain home and self-isolate," Ngti Twharetoa member Janice Wall said.

"Do your part to stop the spread. This is also to encourage self-isolation.

Our mokopuna (grandchildren) are at the forefront of all our decisions in our village."

In Te Urewera, in the Bay of Plenty, all huts, campgrounds and walks, including the popular Waikaremoana Great Walk, will be closed to the publicin preparation for the country moving to level four alert for Covid-19.

Ngi Thoe members will also be manning the area to ensure the guidelines are adhered to, which is what they've been doing for the past few days, Te Urewera Board chairman Tmati Kruger said.

"The entirepopulation of the country is now in self-isolation.

"We must emphasise thatTe Urewera is not suitable for self-isolation... we see Te Urewera as a single living system, and tangata whenua and manuhiri have a special place in it.

"Our role as kaitiaki in this case means keeping people safe and ensuring this closure is respected."

HAGEN HOPKINS/GETTY IMAGES

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced New Zealand was at Covid-19 alert level three on Monday, and would progress to level four at 11.59pm on Wednesday.

The iwi is also planning to limit areas available to visiting hunters in what is called the "roar season" as its where many iwi members gather food.

The roar season iswhere stag are hunted, runningfor about four weeks from the end of March.

All hut and camp bookings to June 30 will also be cancelled.

Inthe East Cape, road blocksandcheckpoints have also been planned.

Residents of Wharekahika will be stationed at Te Araroa Road between 8am and 6pm, from Wednesday 25 March to Wednesday 8 April.

Longtime Hicks Bay community member AniPahiruHuriwai, of Te Puna Manaaki aRuataupare,said volunteers were planning to set up checkpoints tostop campervans and other unfamiliar vehicles at Te Araroa and Wharekahika (Hicks Bay).

"We're a long way from anywhere. We're 180km away from our nearest hospital. We have no GPs here," Huriwai said.

"A high percentage of our community would be immunocompromised, a high number of our people have diabetes, respiratory problems, or are cancer patients.

"We really don't want visitors coming to our area, who may have come from overseas, we don't know, or who may not have been abiding by the 14-day self-isolation."

Volunteers for the checkpointwill attend a five-hour training session on Tuesday.

"We will be going through protocols for the checkpoint and for keeping ourselves safe from Covid-19."

Dozens of marae across the country have also closed their doors, even for tangihanga, including several from Te Arawa, around the Rotorua/Bay of Plenty area, and even further south including Te Toke Marae, 23km from Taup.

Aotearoa Fisheries Limited, the largest Mori-owned seafood company in New Zealand, has long supplied fish for tangihanga at Te Arawa marae.

Because of the closures, they decided to allocate 10kg of fish to tangi not held at the marae, a spokesman said.

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Coronavirus: Iwi across NZ step up tourist blockades, close huts and walkways - Stuff.co.nz

Overnight, the normally bustling streets of cities like Milan and Venice were deserted, their sprawling piazzas and picturesque walkways silent and devoid of people.

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But this tranquility betrayed a very different reality for Italians at the front lines of the pandemic.

"It seems relaxed because everyone is staying inside and people are cooking and looking at old photos and doing work at home," said Francesco Longo, director of the Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management at Bocconi University in Milan. "But in the hospitals, it's like a war."

D'Antiga said that at his hospital, almost half of the 1,000 beds are dedicated to treating patients with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Most other operations at the hospital have scaled back significantly or ground to a halt.

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"In the gastroenterology ward, internal medicine and other wards, they have to send away patients and only admit those with COVID-19 even in the neurology ward," D'Antiga said. "We have 20 to 30 patients coming in every day requiring admission, but we've run out of beds. It's a really difficult situation."

What makes the situation even worse is that some of the beds are being used to treat medical personnel themselves.

"Here, probably 20 to 30 percent of health care professionals got infected," D'Antiga said. "In my department, I have 25 pediatricians, and currently 10 are off sick. This is the same in other departments, and it's a major challenge."

Although the majority of those who have tested positive so far have experienced mild symptoms, the most serious cases can result in respiratory failure. Nearly 13,000 of Italy's coronavirus patients are hospitalized with symptoms, and of those, more than 2,000 are under intensive medical care, straining hospitals' resources.

D'Antiga said 80 of the 100 beds in his hospital's intensive care unit are occupied by coronavirus patients hooked up to ventilators, but hospitals are rapidly running out of beds and the equipment needed to keep patients alive.

The limited resources are forcing doctors to make excruciating decisions about whom to treat and who may be beyond help.

Although cases vary, doctors typically take into account a patient's age and condition, which is standard practice even without being in the midst of a pandemic, according to D'Antiga. So far, he said, doctors are mostly heeding the same criteria when they do have to make tough choices.

"Outside of an epidemic, if a 90-year-old person comes in with severe pneumonia, we likely wouldn't admit the patient into intensive care and intubate them," D'Antiga said. "We do have to select, unfortunately, but at the moment, at least we don't have to select among those who would have been treated in normal times."

But that could change, he added. And as the virus spreads, the heart-wrenching situation in Lombardy could be intensified in other regions of Italy and in other countries.

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"What we're seeing in Italy is what we're likely to start seeing in hospitals around the world in the coming weeks and months," said Yascha Mounk, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. "One of the characteristics of this disease is it has a very long incubation period. It takes a long time for it to start overburdening the health care system, but once it starts, the increase is very rapid."

In Venice, a doctor in the region's main hospital who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that she and her colleagues are already treating 92 coronavirus patients but that they are anticipating an onslaught still to come.

"We are struggling, but we know we are not in the worst moment of the outbreak," she said. "To work in these conditions is really exhausting. Everyone is feeling mentally exhausted."

Her hospital has already created improvised ICUs, and doctors and nurses across the northeast are being deployed to vulnerable areas. Resources in and around Venice, which has had even more time to prepare than Lombardy, are already becoming strained.

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Italy has a world-class health system. The coronavirus has pushed it to the breaking point. - NBC News