Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement to roll back reopening measures was an upsetting development to many Californians, including San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond.
Recent COVID-19 outbreaks in bars not following public health orders have led to Newsom ordering bars, wineries, and breweries in 19 counties to shut down. Several other counties are following suit on their own accord—San Diego County included. At midnight on Tuesday, bars, breweries, and wineries shut their doors ahead of what would normally be a busy Fourth of July weekend.
Supervisor Desmond was disappointed in this blanket approach, arguing that the vast majority of businesses have been abiding by the county public health orders.
“I realize there are a few bad actors out there in some of the bars that we should be able to take care of, but I think we should take care of it surgically. Instead of doing it with a scalpel, we’re doing it with a grenade where bars, wineries, and breweries all have to shut down,” Desmond explained. “I have yet to see any large crowd or any ruckus happen at a winery or a brewery. Some of the bars might get out of hand, but we need to handle those and not shut down and blanket an entire industry or sector of business.”
Instead of going in with a scalpel, we are going in with a grenade. We shouldn't punish law abiding citizens, because of a few bad actors. pic.twitter.com/E5Un5LElJL
— Supervisor Jim Desmond (@jim_desmond) June 30, 2020
He hopes that Gov. Newsom will not announce the closure of more businesses solely due to the failings a select few. Such actions would send thousands of people back into unemployment after just getting back on their feet. People are sick of being stuck inside when they can take proper precautions to go out safely, taking responsibility for their own personal health and that of others.
