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Orange County Coronavirus

Santana: CA Gov. Newsom Forced Beach Closures in OC Stir Local Partisanship

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

The Fully Open CA protest on Main St. in Huntington Beach on May 1, 2020.

By Norberto Santana Jr. Norberto Santana Jr. | May 4, 2020
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Norberto Santana, Jr.

A pioneering leader in the nation’s rising nonprofit news movement and an award-winning journalist. Santana has established Voice of OC as Orange County’s civic news leader, uncovered the truths across Southern California governments for more than two decades and reported on Congress and Latin America.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom stoked a political firestorm here in Orange County when he singled out the area for bad beach behavior and called for all beaches to be shut down, starting this past weekend in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.


Editor’s Note: As Orange County’s only nonprofit & nonpartisan newsroom, Voice of OC brings you the best, most comprehensive local Coronavirus news absolutely free. No ads, no paywalls. We need your help. Please, click here to make a tax-deductible donation today to support your local news.


Newsom’s action triggered a series of street protests and emergency meetings from Orange County coastal city leaders last week, scrambling to figure out whether they would fight or how they would help enforce the governor’s action.

The cities of Huntington Beach and Dana Point joined efforts to oppose the governors’ beach closings in court. 

Orange County Superior Court Judge Nathan R. Scott is expected to hear arguments in that case next Monday, May 11. 

Over the weekend, the City of Newport Beach voted to file legal briefs supporting the neighboring cities but didn’t outright join the lawsuit. 

The City of San Clemente came out of their Friday night special meeting saying they would remain watchful but didn’t take any official action.

Orange County supervisors have largely been resistant to enacting hard closures on local beaches and parks.

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett unsuccessfully tried to convince her colleagues to close the beaches last week, correctly predicting large crowds and challenges enforcing social distancing guidelines. 

It’s unclear whether county supervisors would fight Sacramento in court or join local cities’ efforts like Newport Beach did.

Supervisor Don Wagner has become a leading voice on the board of supervisors on the issue, arguing that the governor has the authority to take action.

County supervisors are expected to discuss the issue this week during their regularly scheduled public meeting on Tuesday. 

Orange County’s Republican Party is already firing back at Newsom’s Orange County beach closure effort. 

“We are greatly angered that Governor Newsom decided to close all beaches and hiking trails starting this Friday. It is a complete slap in the face to local control and has nothing to do with health,” said Orange County Republican Party Chairman Fred Whitaker in a press statement. 

“The Orange County Board of Supervisors and local city councils are the best to determine the status of public areas such as beaches and hiking trails. These local bodies looked at the data, consulted with health experts, and more important their constituents before deciding to keep our beaches open.

Every local law enforcement entity found last weekend’s beach usage in Orange County to be in compliance with social distancing,” Whitaker wrote. 

“Yet King Gavin decided press stories were more worthy of trust than law enforcement. I guess we should not be surprised.

It has been a long six weeks since the Governor issued his original stay at home order. Orange County and California residents cooperated and flattened the curve. His actions are arrogant and unnecessary.”

Orange County’s Democratic Party backed Newsom. 

“Governor Gavin Newsom closed Orange County’s jam-packed beaches for good reason, to help save lives,” said Orange County Democratic Party Chairwoman Ada Briceño. “Other California metropolitan counties are doing far more than Orange County to expand tests, protect essential workers, and minimize crowds.

Our first responders are putting themselves in danger to keep us safe. COVID-19 should not be a partisan issue. We urge everyone, regardless of political party, to use common sense, stay home, and help stop COVID-19.”

In her statement, Briceño noted that “Orange County’s COVID-19 hospitalizations surged 80% over the past four weeks, and it has the fourth-highest number of hospitalizations among all California counties.”

Briceño took aim at county supervisors, highlighting that “Orange County has consistently lagged behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County in COVID-19 testing, homelessness services, and protections for essential workers.

Until April 21, Orange County was the sole county jurisdiction in Southern California not to issue a mandatory countywide face mask order, until pressure by the Democratic Party of Orange County and a bipartisan petition and public pressure campaign led by Ocean View School District President Gina Clayton-Tarvin spurred the Board to approve face masks in a more limited use than surrounding counties,” Briceño wrote.

How can I sign up for a vaccine?

For full details on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County view our Voice of OC vaccine page that is constantly updated and has links of where to register for an appointment: http://bit.ly/occovidvaccine.

What is COVID-19? Do I have it?

INFORMATION View the CDC website. View OC's website. View the latest OC case counts.

TRANSLATIONS See the county's guides in non-English languages. Learn key Coronavirus facts in Vietnamese and Spanish via VietRise. See VietRISE guides in Spanish and Vietnamese.

PROTECTION To limit exposure, the CDC recommends: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with others, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

SYMPTOMS The CDC identifies these key symptoms that can occur any time between 2 and 14 days after exposure: Fever or chills, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,  headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. If you suspect Coronavirus, CALL your primary medical provider.

EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS If you display any of the following emergency warning signs, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

RISK The CDC identifies people most at risk for serious illness: Older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

What is open?

RESIDENTS The County of Orange offers a list of notices and news on what guidance is given for families and persons.

SCHOOLS The latest information for the county is available from the Orange County Board of Education.

STATE GUIDE TO WHAT IS OPEN A full list of statewide guidelines for what is open and what is closed.

SOCIAL DISTANCING Staying away from other people is called "social distancing." The aim is to SLOW the spread of Coronavirus so as to not overwhelm the nation's health care systems and so that people in need can get help. The Washington Post explains: "The spread (of COVID-19) can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice "social distancing" by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement."

What support is available?

STRESS & ANXIETY Stress and anxiety can be triggered by the situation and resources are available to help from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and from the American Psychology Association. Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious, here are tips on talking with children about COVID-19.

MENTAL HEALTH The County of Orange offers a list of available mental health support services.

FIRST RESPONDERS The County of Orange offers these support services for first responders and health care workers.

BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS The County of Orange offers a list of up-to-date guidelines for business and faith-based/community organizations.

FOOD ASSISTANCE Voice of OC offers a weekly list of available food pantries in Orange County. You can also apply for food benefits over the phone through the CalFresh program at 800-281-9799 or online.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Buses and trains still offer service, but routes have been reduced so make sure to check your route ahead of time.

HOMELESSNESS The County of Orange offers a list of available shelter beds and other resources.

GENERAL FINANCIAL HELP Here are some services:

  •   • Find information on unemployment and disability benefits.
  •   • The Orange County Social Services Agency, despite closing its lobby, is processing online filings for assistance programs. This includes emergency cash assistance for immediate needs like rent or medical bills. The phone line has averaged a 30 minute wait time and offers a callback service, but people are encouraged to apply for benefits online.
  •   • Residents can apply for any of these programs by calling 800-281-9799.

RESTAURANT OWNERS & EMPLOYEES You can find a detailed list of resources available to restaurant owners and employees

How can I help?

VOLUNTEERING A statewide guide offers examples of ways to volunteer safely during Coronavirus. Options include, but are not limited to: donating plasma, making cloth face masks and supporting local food banks. Orange County's Second Harvest Food Bank lists support options online.

DONATIONS An Orange County Community Resilience Fund has been started through the OC Community Foundation to raise money for local nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

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