PARIS Parisians heading to the opening of Paris Plages, the yearly transformation of sections of the Seine river into man-made beaches, were met with a new attraction on Saturday: COVID-19 test centres.

A series of indicators across the country, including in the French capital, have suggested the virus could once again be gaining momentum. Authorities are pushing an aggressive testing policy to avoid a return to the peaks seen from March to May.

"At Paris-Plages people have got the time and they really want to know whether they have been sick ... and there are those who need a certificate to travel on some airlines to go on holiday," Muriel Prudhomme, a doctor and deputy at the townhall's health department, told Reuters as a steady stream of people of all ages came to be tested.

The artificial beaches on the banks of the Seine in central Paris and the Bassin de la Villette, a man-made lake in the northeast of the city, have been a raging success since they were launched by Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe in 2002.

As well as sand and views of central Paris architecture, Paris Plage offers sporting opportunities such as fencing, giant table-football, and open-air gyms looking out over the Seine, although this year the tighter health restrictions have limited some of the activities.

Along the banks of the river and the Bassin de la Villette, medical teams are now in place at two locations until the end of August offering serological and standard PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests with a capacity to carry out 150 to 200 a day.

"I'm taking all necessary precautions, but there are so many people that don't seem to care," said pensioner Nicole Gressier. "I'm going to see my granddaughter who I haven't seen for nine months, so when I was strolling here I saw it was possible to be tested, so why not?"

The disease has killed more than 30,000 people in France. While it has been under control with fatalities and the number of people in intensive care falling, daily cases have increased ahead of the summer holiday season as people gather in larger groups and travellers come to and from France without specific quarantine measures.

Kais Arbi, 25, who lives in a northwestern Parisian suburb, took the test knowing that he was travelling to see his family in Tunisia in the coming weeks.

"I did the PCR test so I know my current state of health," said Arbi, who tested negative. "I don't want to spread it to another country."

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

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Going to the Beach in Paris? Why Not Test for COVID-19? - The New York Times

TRAVERSE CITY Maria Hall, 30, and her fianc Joshua Dillon, 35, have always appreciated the earths natural beauty.

The couple who both grew up in Michigan share a love of travel that has taken them to places including Jamaica, Iceland, and California where they lived for a few years. There, they visited every national park in the state, according to Hall.

The couples affinity for nature rings especially true when it comes to their appreciation of the natural wonder of northern Michigan.

We love the sand dunes. We love the beautiful blue water, said Hall. The ocean is awesome but its not our lakes.

So, when it came time to plan their July 2020 wedding, they knew a beach ceremony with Lake Michigan as a backdrop would best capture their love adventure.

An added plus? The couples out of area family could also soak in northern Michigans majestic views.

To show them how gorgeous really our state is, Hall said. Lets be real, the pictures are going to be beautiful.

Pictures, in this time of COVID-19, will be how most of her friends and family experience her wedding.

And northern Michigan pictures can say 1,000 words if not more, according to Corey Weber, owner of The Weber Photographers.

For him, beach ceremonies are the total visual package.

They really do incorporate every single aspect that is the big draw to northern Michigan, he said.

Some of Webers most popular beach wedding settings include downtown Traverse City, Petoskey State Park, Vans Beach in Leland and a spot in Charlevoix.

But getting married with ones toes in the sand may not be well suited for the risk averse.

After all, there are no guarantees when it comes to the weather.

Its like throwing a dart on a calendar and hoping for 75 degrees and sunny with 5 mph wind and no more, Weber said. Its quite the crap-shoot.

Wind can be a major adversary come wedding day, according to Rev. Crystal Yarlott, the owner of Northern Michigan Wedding Officiants.

In officiant world, were always talking about good ways to keep the pages from our scripts from flipping all over the place, said Yarlott, whose pages were held in place during one ceremony by the couple exchanging vows.

Besides factoring in for the wind, Yarlott recommends keeping umbrellas at the ready, and turning programs into fans to combat potential heat.

Also, if a couple incorporates pets, they should keep in mind the water can be a huge distraction.

Take, for example, the time two tuxedo-clad black labs were on hand.

They (the dogs) were pulling and barking. They wanted to get in the water. she said.

Even with the weather risks, the potential rewards of an outdoor beach gathering can be unparalleled.

During one ceremony, Yarlott said she witnessed the gray clouds repeatedly part to reveal flashes of rainbows.

It was magical, she said.

Some of Yarlotts most popular destinations include Peterson Beach at Sleeping Bear Dunes, the Old Mission Peninsula and Bayside Park in Acme.

If a couple opts to get married on a public beach, despite a permit, they still must share the space with the public.

That means wave runners, sunbathers and picnicking families may be unofficial guests.

We dont cordon off anything. You cant make something inaccessible, said Merrith Baughman, Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

There are also certain stipulations that apply to public beaches such as those at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

For example, there is a $150 permit fee, receptions arent allowed, and ceremonies cant be scheduled on certain holiday weekends.

Artificial structures like archways are a no-no, and only a small number of chairs can be used.

Parking restrictions, restroom availability and the number of people allowed all vary.

Thats why Brooke Dumas, owner of Stellaluna Events, recommends booking a private area that comes with its own beach.

Then you are able to have a really intimate ceremony, she said.

Some of her recommendations include the Inn at Bay Harbor, The Homestead in Glen Arbor and The Leelanau School, also in Glen Arbor. Thats where Abby and Neal Kostry exchanged vows in July 2019, surrounded by a ring of greenery on the private schools Lake Michigan beach.

We had visited Traverse City a few years before and fell in love (with the area), said Abby Kostry, a Seattle teacher. We got engaged on Lake Michigan.

With social distancing guidelines in place that limit private and public gathering due to COVID-19, Dumas said many of her clients are postponing or opting for smaller elopement type ceremonies.

Thats Maria Halls plan.

Shes swapped her initial idea for an event with about 100 guests with a plan that includes just the couple and both sets of parents at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Then, next year theyll invite family and friends to northern Michigan to watch the replay of their wedding.{div}We would feel more comfortable with people not traveling and being around each other at this time, Hall said. We were supposed to have many traveling from outside the state, by plane, with children.

We believe everyone will be able to come to next years celebration more safely. We were able to reschedule the venues to next summer, she added. I thought it would be kind of cool to kind of relive that moment.

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

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Pictures speak volumes as weddings get smaller on area beaches - Traverse City Record Eagle

Want to know even more information about the beach before you leave the house? You can help.

Mote Marine Laboratory reports daily beach conditions on visitbeaches.org. The scientists and data crunchers at Mote are now gathering public input to get a better idea of what people want to see reported on the site.

Before heading out for a day of sun and surf, beachgoers can learn ahead of time what the air and surface water temperatures are, wind directions and speed, whether debris is sloshing up onto the shoreline, the size of any waves, whether rip tides are present or not.

The reports cover public beaches from Florida's Panhandle, Clearwater south to Marco Island, Jacksonville and Lake Worth Beach on the East Coast. Most reports are posted 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Especially important when red tide algae is blooming, Mote reports whether or not people suffer respiratory irritations -- a sign of toxic levels of red tide is present -- and whether dead marine life from fish kills are washing ashore. The reports also lets beachgoers know when jellyfish are in the shallows.

Since 2015, Tracy Fanara, Mote staff scientist and program manager, said, Mote added reports of crowd size at public beaches. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, knowing the size of the crowd can be important to those who want to maintain social distance while sunbathing.

Lifeguards, county and municipal employees, and other trained volunteer "beach ambassadors" provide Mote with daily reports, Fanara said.

The public can take the survey online at https://forms.gle/bmeYVpqAtzeNq5Ns5.

Among the questions, the survey asks respondents what condition reports they deem most important. People can also write in additional information they would like to see reported that isn't reported now.

Respondents are also asked whether they'd like to see beach closures reported. Do they want other daily condition reports for parks, lakes, rivers, nature preserves and sanctuaries? Or do they want Mote to stick with beach conditions?

People will also be asked if they would sign up to be a beach ambassador volunteer who will report beach conditions twice daily using a cell phone app.

For more information, visit Mote's website at mote.org or visitbeaches.org.

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What do you want to know about the beach? - yoursun.com

The longtime San Diego battle between beachgoers and the neighborhoods where they park has risen to a new level this summer in La Jolla Shores, where someone illegally painted 150 feet of curb red so no one would park there.

City crews repaint somewhere between 10 and 25 illegal red curbs each year, mostly in beach areas, but also in congested neighborhoods like Hillcrest and North Park.

But its rare for residents frustrated by throngs of visitors to illegally paint the curb of an entire block of street red, as someone did on the north side of Camino del Collado in La Jolla Shores.

The Surfrider Foundation, which discovered the illegal paint job thanks to a tip from a surfer, says illegal red curbs have become an equity issue, because wealthy residents are making it harder for ordinary people to access the beach.

Just because youre lucky enough to be an elite coastal homeowner, doesnt mean you have a right to better coastal access, said Kristin Brinner, a Surfrider volunteer. There should be equitable access to the beach.

While its easy to empathize with beach-area residents whose neighborhoods get flooded with people who are sometimes discourteous, Brinner stressed that residents were aware of the proximity to the beach when they rented or bought there.

People who illegally paint red curbs which typically happens secretly and late at night often get away with it for long periods because the city hasnt taken a proactive approach to enforcement.

Red curbs mean no parking any time.

A city spokesman said San Diego typically only responds to complaints about illegally painted red curbs, which average about 200 per year.

The lions share of complaints end up being erroneous, because the city hasnt compiled maps of every curb that is legitimately painted red. Such a map would allow so residents to go online to determine when curbs have been illegally painted red.

The city spokesman, Anthony Santacroce, said city officials do keep careful track of where red curbs have been approved.

While there is no public facing database or map currently being developed, the Transportation and Storm Water Department keeps an extensive records system that is used to check for the legality of the painted curbs, he said.

City crews repainted the illegal red curb on Camino del Collado last weekend, shortly after Surfrider alerted them to the situation. But repainting can sometimes take as long as 90 says, Santacroce said.

Brinner said Surfrider estimates the curb was illegally red for roughly a month, shrinking the available beach parking in La Jolla Shores during one of the busiest times of the year.

Illegally painting a curb is a misdemeanor. The city couldnt provide data on how many arrests there have been for the activity.

There have been reports that some local stores specialize in providing paint that matches the shade of red that the city uses.

Santacroce said the illegal jobs can usually be spotted because they are less neatly done and the paint is fuzzier on the edges of the curb.

Brinner said she thinks it would be difficult for someone to tell the difference and have the confidence to park in front of a red curb, which typically leads to a car being towed, not just a ticket.

It would have fooled me, she said of the La Jolla Shores illegal red curb.

A related issue, Brinner said, is the city approving more legitimate red curbs in coastal areas in response to resident requests.

She said an example is in La Jolla Farms near Blacks Beach, where Surfrider spent two years fighting what she characterized as an excessive number of red curbs.

The city recently restored 11 spots that had been painted red, but Brinner said the long and complex fight was frustrating and required help from the California Coastal Commission.

I can see why people dont bother, she said. People in La Jolla are slowly chipping away at public parking.

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San Diego's beach neighborhoods use secret weapon to limit parking illegally painted red curbs - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Lifeguards in Delaware have a lot of responsibilities, and COVID-19 is adding another layer to the risk they face on each beach day. Delaware News Journal

Heading to the Delaware beaches this weekend?

Here's what you need to know if you're planning on dipping your toes in the sand the weekend of July 17to 19 and what might be different than normal at the beaches in the current phase of Delaware'sreopening plan.

Delaware's beach towns are open to the public, but government and public health officials warn that everyone's help is neededto curb the spread of COVID-19.

Social distancing is encouraged in all public spaces, and people should maintain at least 6 feet of distance from people who are not members of their immediate household.

As for face masks, they are required to be wornin public spaces where social distancing is difficultand inside businesses that are open.

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Face masks are recommended, but not required, on most beaches themselves, but social distancing is a must.

CORONAVIRUS IN DELAWARE: Our latest coverage

Masks must be worn on the streets, sidewalks, Boardwalk and inside businesses in Rehoboth Beach city limits. They should also be worn on the beach if social distancing is difficult, officials say.Some exceptions apply, like for children 12 and under and those for whomwearing a mask would present a health risk.

Lewes also requires masks to be worn outdoors in the city's downtown area, public beach parking lots and while crossing the Savannah Road drawbridge between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Masks on the beaches in Lewes are recommended, but not required.There are similar rules inBethany Beach, where people in violation of mask rules can face up to a $100 fine.

Swimming is permitted at all beachesunless dangerous weather conditions arise.Make sure to check in with the local lifeguards before you dive in to learn about any potential hazards in the water or on the sand.

At beaches within the Delaware State Parks system, like Cape Henlopen State Park, Fenwick Island State Park and Delaware Seashore State Park near the Indian River Inlet, there will be limits on how many people will be admitted.

The number of vehicles allowed in will be capped at 60% of parking capacity, according to parks officials. Masks or face coverings are required in bathhouse and concession areas at all three parks and strongly encouraged on the beach as well.

At Cape Henlopen, when the gates are closed, admission also will be restricted for those with surf-fishing tags. Natural resources police will be enforcing the 20-foot minimum distance between vehicles on drive-on beaches.

Delaware is in its second phase of reopening businesses previously restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. John Carney announced on June 25 that the state is pausing moving into the next phase, due to concerns about people not following guidelines.

In late June, he announced that bar service at the Delaware beaches had to shut downahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.This new guidance affects only bars in certain ZIP codes in eastern Sussex County, state officials said.

Crowds came out on July 4th to Rehoboth Beach, as seen from atop the Atlantic Sands.(Photo: Chuck Snyder/Special to Delaware News Journal)

Current reopening plans allow restaurants to have up to 60% of the people who would be allowed in the building by the fire marshal, not including staff, but they must still adhere to social distancing guidelines. Some have increased outdoor seating to try to accommodate more diners.

Carney's additional restriction on beach bars means bar seating within restaurants is also off-limits. It's unclear when those bar restrictions will be lifted.

People are encouraged to call ahead for reservationsand to check on any changes in normal operating hours or other restrictions.

Hot weather and clear skies brought thousands of visitors to Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Social distancing did not appear to be followed very strictly on either the beach or boardwalk, with mask usage also not ubiquitous.(Photo: Chuck Snyder/Special to Delaware News Journal)

That 60% capacity cap also applies to personal care services (such as hair and nail salons, tanning, tattoo, massage therapy services and spas)that were previously required to keep occupancy at 30%.

No additional announcements have been made on when Delaware will enter phase three of the state's rolling reopening plan. For more details on the state's reopening, go togovernor.delaware.gov/delawares-recovery.

Moving toward normalcy means that summer parking fees are back in place. Parking permits or metered parking is in effect in all of Delaware's beach towns from Lewes to Fenwick Island.

In Lewes, city officials are supporting businesses by offering free downtown parking from 9 a.m. to noon for shoppers.

Each town has different rules and rates for parking. For more information, visit an individual beach town's website or call Town Hall in the beach town you plan to visit before arriving.

Below are links to each oceanfront beach town's parking policies:

Previous bans on out-of-state travelers and short-term rentalswerelifted in early June. Delaware's reopening plan saysleisure travel "should be avoided" at this time, but it's allowed if people and businesses can adhere to social-distancing-related recommendations, according to the state.

Hotels and other accommodations also are now accepting reservations for vacation stays, though there may be limits and restrictions in gathering areas like lobbies.

Delaware's daily DART beach bus service is fully operational. People can take advantage of the Park & Ride options in Lewes and Rehoboth to avoid heavy beach traffic south of Lewes.

Face coverings are required on public transportation.

Hot weather and clear skies brought thousands of visitors to Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Social distancing did not appear to be followed very strictly on either the beach or boardwalk, with mask usage also not universal.(Photo: Chuck Snyder/Special to Delaware News Journal)

The Lewes Park & Ride is at 17616 Coastal Highway, just south of Five Points, and the Rehoboth Park & Ride is off Route 1 at 20055 Shuttle Road, just north of the entrance to Rehoboth Avenue. Parking is free at both lots.

Cash-only fare due upon boarding for aone-way trip is $2, and an all-day daily pass is $4.20. Seven-daypasses also are available for $18, and a 30-day pass costs$65. For more information, go towww.dartfirststate.com/information/programs/beachbus/index.shtml#parkride.

DART's beach connection, which runs from Wilmington to Rehoboth Beach on weekends and holidays, is also now available.

This weekend's weather is looking a little rainy, butpicture-perfect weather for a trip to the beach could arrive on Sunday. However, forecasts can change as the weekend gets closer.

The National Weather Service forecast for Friday, July 17,inRehoboth Beach is for a mostly cloudy day with a high near 85degrees, but there is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3p.m.

Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 83degrees. There is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m.

Sunday should be mostly sunny with a high near 87.

Water temperatures off the coast of Lewes are reaching themid-70s this week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As of July 16, Delaware hasseen a total of 13,114 cases, data shows.

Of those cases, 5,935 are in New Castle County, the most populated county in the state. Another 5,171 have been detected in Sussex County.

The pandemic has led to the deaths of 521Delawareans since mid-March. So far, nearly 145,000 people have been tested in total, and 7,269 people have recovered from the viral disease.

Contact reporter Maddy Lauria at (302) 345-0608,mlauria@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @MaddyinMilford.

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Heading to the Delaware beaches this weekend? Here's what you need to know for your trip - The News Journal

Its July in Jersey, were tired of being stuck home, and flying to exotic locales isnt in the cards, so down the Shore we go.

But how can Shore towns enforce social distancing rules and prevent crowds on sunny weekends, especially when so many people want to plant their chairs in the popular areas near bathrooms, restaurants and amenities?

Its complicated.

Officials in Long Branch faced just that scenario on Sunday afternoon, causing police to temporarily block beach access near Pier Village, advising visitors to try again in an hour and directing them to other areas of the 2.5-mile beach.

In nearby Belmar and Point Pleasant, beach access points were also closed during parts of the day due to overcrowding.

And its all got Gov. Murphy a bit concerned.

The ability to social distance is somewhat related to how many bodies there are in a given plot of real estate, Murphy said during his Monday coronavirus briefing in Trenton. If we dont manage capacity at beaches and we cant get social distancing, were probably playing with fire.

We talked to officials and legislators to find out what Shore towns can do to keep their beaches safe and the obstacles theyre up against. Heres what they had to say.

Who is in charge of how many people can go to any given beach?

The Shore towns themselves.

Murphy reopened the beaches in May, allowing towns to set the guidelines.

Every beach will be required to establish capacity limitations, but we will leave it to local leaders to determine the method that would be best for their community, he said at the time.

Murphy said he continues to have conversations with officials on how to execute his guidelines, but continues to leave the management of crowd control to local authorities, while urging restrictions on parking capacity and the beach tag sales.

How are Shore towns supposed to limit capacity?

According to Murphys May executive order, towns are required to implement reasonable restrictions, including non-discriminatory capacity restrictions. Those capacity limits, determined by local officials, could be achieved through limiting beach badge sales or monitoring the crowds with technology.

I think both are good options, says Monmouth County Sen. Vin Gopal (D). I think the towns have got to handle this on their own. They know their beaches, they know their entry points, they know their populations, and I think the state has to enforce it.

Which option are Shore towns choosing for limiting capacity?

It seems the many Shore towns arent setting limits on badge sales, but instead are monitoring for crowding.

In Long Branch, officials used drones to determine when to set limits, and several other towns have also chosen monitoring and closing access when necessary.

It sounds to me like Long Branch handled it well (Sunday), says Monmouth County Sen. Declan OScanlon (R). They did a limited closing and then reopened as quickly as they could. It would have been pretty easy to just close everything down for the duration of the day. They didnt do that, which makes their job harder, but its the right job to do, I think. For me, the real-time limiting of access points when you have a problem is the preferable way to go.

Some towns, like Avon-by-the-Sea and Spring Lake, went for option B cutting the number of beach tags sold each day.

But limiting badge sales could affect neighboring towns. Belmar Mayor Mark Walsifer said the limitations imposed by Avon and Spring Lake sent day-trippers to Belmar instead.

Other towns have gotten creative: To enforce capacity limits at several beaches in Point Pleasant, each person is given a wristband, which they return when they leave for the day, allowing another person to enter.

Who decides how many people are allowed at any given towns beach?

The towns themselves.

In Point Pleasant Beach, the boroughs engineer took measurements from the high water mark to the dunes and calculated how many groups spaced six feet apart could fit in the area, Mayor Paul Kanitra, said.

In Bradley Beach, the towns engineer took a photo of the beach and did a similar assessment, deleting space for lifeguard stands and walkways, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press.

Can Shore towns give locals special access and limit outsiders?

Nope.

A township cannot actually legally restrict folks from outside of their township, Murphy said. So thats not actually within their right to do so.

What happens when the beach closes before you get on?

This is the problem, says Sen. Robert Singer (R).

I think that a lot of the beaches are going to have to do what the state does with Island Beach State Park, Singer says. People know in advance, Were full. Theres limited parking.' That kind of stuff. What happens is people get to the beach, they drive there, they cant buy badges in the normal places, so now they go get in line to buy the badges, and then they get there and theres no parking or the beach is full. I think maybe these towns are going to have to rent portable signs on the roadway so people know up front. Weve got to get it out to the public faster if there is a problem so people dont waste their time or by badges theyre not going to be able to use.

How does this all affect Shore town businesses?

For their economies, for the whole states economy we need people out there enjoying themselves and spending money, says OScanlon. But for everybodys safety, its got to be balanced. We definitely dont want to get to the point where our enforcement, our restrictions drive people away. Im confident were deep enough into the summer that theres a balance where we can keep people safe and keep our economy humming.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Avalon Zoppo contributed to this story.

Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com.

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How can Shore towns keep beaches from being overrun by crowds? Its complicated. - NJ.com

Visitors will love this spacious campground, which offers a secluded camping experience just 1.5 miles from the white sand and bustling beach towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. While Gulf State Park isnt technically on the beach, were including it on this list because its stellar amenities and proximity to the beach make it worth a look, especially for families with young kids. Between biking, fishing, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and paddleboarding, campers hardly need to leave the park, but just in case, scores of restaurants, the Fort Morgan Historical Site, and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo are close by.

The park is home to 496 full hookup campsites and comprehensive facilities that include a pool with a splash pad; laundry facilities; an Interpretive Center; a Nature Center and Learning Campus; a camp store; tennis, volleyball, and pickle-ball courts; organized weekly activities; bathhouses; and an on-site restaurant, Woodside. (Be aware that playgrounds are closed as of this writing due to COVID-19 restrictions, and the pier is closed for maintenance. Check the site for updates.)

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The Best 25 Spots Where You Can Camp on the Beach - Reader's Digest

At 2:30 p.m. a landspout developed right behind Tallwood Elementary School near the intersection of Centerville Turnpike and Kempsville Rd.

See the tube-like structure? Thats the signature look of a landspout, which is similar to a waterspout. Landspouts are a type of tornado that can cause injury by flying debris. There were no injuries or damage as the landspout briefly touched down over the Virginia Beach Landfill behind Tallwood Elementary School. When I talked to Jonathon, who took these pictures, he mentioned that mulch, plastic, and paper from the landfill were flying up in the landspout towards the cloud.

There was a thunderstorm nearby when it developed in the area. The key difference in a landspout is that the thunderstorm is not rotating and they can also form near the ground, then connect with the parent thunderstorm as it develops. Part of its updraft.

Once again, landspouts can be dangerous, there have been reports of other ones creating minor damage. If you see one, its best to seek shelter as flying debris, or simply the strong wind speed can cause injury.

Meteorologist Jeff Edmondson

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Landspout spotted over Virginia Beach on Saturday - WAVY.com

Sandy Beach, far left, was one of six 2003 inductees into the Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. With him are (from left,) Carol Jasen, Larry Levite and Tim Russert.

Talk show host Sandy Beach is ending his 23-year run at WBEN-AM at the end of July.

The announcement was made Wednesday night in a memo to the staff from Entercom Buffalo leader Tim Holly that also was attributed to operation manager and program director Tim Wenger.

The memo termed the announcement as bittersweet.

A member of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Beach has had a 60-plus-year run in broadcasting.

His Buffalo career started in 1968 when he arrived after several years in Hartford to become a disc jockey at WKBW-AM in its glory days.

The memo referred to Beach as a provocative and edgy talk show host who entertained with distinct humor.

His membership in three Halls of Fame speaks to Beachs skills as a talk show host. The Lunenberg, Mass., native also was a three-time nominee for Billboard Magazine Personality of the Year.

Buffalo News critic Jeff Simon has referred to Beach as "maybe the most gifted performer in the history of Buffalo radio."

Beach also had his critics, who might laugh at the memos kind assessment as loudly as Beach's signature guffaw on his program.

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Sandy Beach to retire from WBEN at the end of July - Buffalo News

GLOUCESTER (CBS) Itll be harder to get to the beach this weekend in Gloucester unless you live there. The city is closing all public beach parking lots to non-residents on Saturday and Sunday.

I know youre on vacation and usually you go everywhere else, said Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. But COVID didnt take a summer vacation. Its still here. I have to protect the people that I represent.

This Saturday and Sunday, shes limiting the parking lots at beaches to Gloucester residents only. She says since high tide is expected at peak hours this weekend, social distancing will be a challenge and last weekend got out-of-hand. People were knocking on peoples doors and asking if they could park in their driveways, said the mayor. I have a lot of seniors who still own homes, and they were scared, and they were calling the police.

A lot of people come to this beach. It gets pretty crowded, said Erika Lucien, who visited from Cambridge this week. Like others, she said she tries to stay away from crowds.

I mean, outside is best, but still, how close do you want to be? You dont, said Brad Hutchins, who visited from Stow.

Gloucester plans to bring in extra staff to monitor the parking lots this weekend, and crews are posting no parking signs on surrounding streets. They say they will be out ticketing and towing. Violators face a $75 fine.

Visitors from out-of-town are still welcome on weekdays, and city leaders say theyll assess later next week how theyll proceed the following weekend.

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Gloucester Closing All Beach Parking Lots To Non-Residents This Weekend - CBS Boston

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) If you enjoy the heat, this weekend is for you.

But, if youre hoping to snag a spot in the sand, you should hit the road sooner than later, CBS2s Christina Fan reported.

On Saturday morning, State Parks announced Robert Moses State Park on Long Island already reached capacity and advised people to head to Heckscher State Park in East Islip, instead.

Fields 2 and 6 at Jones Beach are also full.

Nassau County police said Lido Beach, Lido West and Nickerson Beach are at full capacity and closed to incoming visitors. The department is asking people to avoid Lido Boulevard in order to prevent further delays.

LINK: CLICK HERE for updates on crowds at New York State parks and beaches

Even though many beaches and pools are offering extended hours, limited capacity rules remain in place due to the coronavirus.

The weekend weather is expected to be so hot, bringing demand for beaches so high, that traffic warnings are in place on the way to Jones Beach.

Watch John Elliotts Weekend Forecast:

State Parks officials said drivers should be ready for heavy delays on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Plus, even once you arrive, you can be turned away. Density reductions of 50 percent are in place to keep people socially distant and safe from COVID-19.

Officials said they will post capacity updates online so residents can check beforehand.

Some towns on Long Island are offering extended hours to help residents beat the heat.

Lifeguards will be on duty in Hempstead until 7 p.m. on beaches. All town pools are open until 8 p.m.

New York City beaches remain open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Beachgoers are expected to wear face coverings at all times, except while in the water.

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State Beaches Reach Capacity Early As Tri-State Temperatures Soar - CBS New York

CHICAGO (CBS) Dangerous heat settled on Chicago Saturday, prompting a heat advisory.

The advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. Saturday for all of Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Heat index values at or above 105 degrees were expected.

CBS 2s Marissa Parra set out to see how Chicagoans were faring in the heat Saturday.

The Chicago Park District said it has activated more than 100 spray-water features technical terms for what are essentially misting stations and splash pads scattered throughout the city. A list can be found below:

And on this sizzling day in Chicago, the splash pads were put to good use particularly now that COVID-19 has made the usual places to enjoy a hot summer day, like a beach, off limits.

Still Chicagoans find ways to deal with the heat.

The heat doesnt stop people, said musician Derrick Tates. It doesnt stop Chicagoans, and it doesnt stop people visiting Chicago.

Not everyone was trying to escape the summer sun. Some embraced it.

This is all energy! This is all energy! said bucket boys drummer Howard Wallace. We love it! We love it!

For street performers and musicians, skipping the heat is not on the table.

This is a source of income for me over the summer, Tates said. As long as Im safe, its a necessary step to be able to live.

And for Tates, staying safe means keeping water bottles on hand and masks on his face in between playing the saxophone, of course.

Yeah, Im hot, Tates said. Thank goodness for the shade or else Id have to hide from.

Weve seen in the last few decades where heat waves can turn deadly, so if you need to find a cooling station, you can find one by calling 311 or clicking here.

In suburban Cook County, the Bridgeiew Courthouse, 10220 S. 76th Ave. in Bridgeview, and the Skokie Courthouse, at 5600 Old Orchard Rd. in Skokie, are also open as cooling centers through 10 p.m. Sunday.

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With Beaches Closed And Some Options Limited, Chicagoans Still Find Ways To Beat The Heat - CBS Chicago

Gloucester is closing all beach parking lots to non-residents this weekend following numerous complaints of excessive traffic recently, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Director of Public Works Michael Hale and Public Health Director Karin Carroll said.

The lots will be closed to non-residents on Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19.

The last thing we want to do is close our parking lots to visitors, but our city had an influx of traffic this past weekend, Romeo Theken said. We need to reduce the amount of traffic, which is a challenge we face every year but has certainly been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. More people are understandably looking to get outside after staying home for months to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus, but that has meant traffic is worse and it isnt a sustainable situation for our residents.

Carroll said the issue has been exacerbated by the limitations people have on travel, which means more people are taking day trips.

However, its critical we ensure there is plenty of space for social distancing on the beach and that residents can go about their daily lives, Carroll said.

The city said in a news release that high tide is expected to take place early in the day Saturday and Sunday, at 10:21 a.m. and 11:07 a.m. respectively, a factor which significantly reduces the area of beach available for visitors, particularly at Good Harbor and Half Moon Beaches. At Good Harbor, a portion of the beach is also sectioned off as conservation land for Piping Plovers.

This poses a significant challenge as people continue to practice social distancing to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, city officials said. Beachgoers are asked to maintain a minimum of 12 feet of distance between toweling and blanket areas.

The parking lots to public beaches closed this weekend including Stage Fort Park, Good Harbor Beach and Wingaersheek Beach.

City staff will be working at the Stage Fort Park, Good Harbor Beach and Wingaersheek Beach parking lots to ensure non-residents do not park there this weekend.

Residents can enter the parking lots with a 2020 or 2019 beach sticker. If a resident is still waiting for a 2020 sticker, a license and registration with a Gloucester address can be used.

The city will announce next week if the lots will be reopened for non-residents on the weekend of July 25-26.

The public reaches are currently open to a limited number of non-residents and visitors to the area will still be permitted to park at public beach parking lots in Gloucester on weekdays, for the time being.

All beachgoers are reminded of the following guidance from City officials:

Gloucester beaches are running under the following policies: will operate as follows:

More information can be found on the Gloucester beaches Facebook page.

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Gloucester closing public beach parking lots to non-residents this weekend following complaints of excessive - MassLive.com

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) On the heels of Gov. Gina Raimondos slash to parking capacity at two state beaches, South Kingstown is increasing parking fines along roads near its beaches.

South Kingstown Town Manager Robert Zarnetske issued an executive order that parking fines will rise from $25 to $150 per violation along Succotash Road.

Other locations where this will be enforced is in Jerusalem, the State Pier and all roads adjacent to these areas and roads.

This comes in response to recent traffic and crowd control problems at East Matunuck state beach and in anticipation of new challenges associated with the partial close of other state beaches.

For private residences or businesses that have not been closed by Raimondos executive orders, parking in the listed beach areas will not be allowed if off-street parking is not available for workers or customers there.

This order will be in effect until Aug. 11, unless Zarnetske decides to end it early, or extend it if necessary.

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Increased parking fines to be issued near South Kingstown beaches - WPRI.com

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND This citys beach accesses will remain open for beachgoers with implemented safety and health measures.

During a meeting held Wednesday, City of South Padre Island council voted to amend and extend the citys beach operations emergency order to Aug. 5 at 11:59 p.m.

It is the responsibility of every American to aid in the prevention of the spread of the virus, the order states. Our hope is that by imposing these measures quickly and firmly, we will help bring this national emergency to an end quickly and help revitalize the economy we all enjoy as soon as possible.

The order addresses rules for beach vendors and beachgoers.

All non-single pole shade structures will be prohibited, as well as all types of canopies and pop-up tents.

Single-pole shade structures larger than 8 feet in diameter will be prohibited. All single-pole shade structures will be separated by a minimum of 15 feet from the outside edge or tip of the structure.

Only two chairs per single pole shade structure will be permitted. Other setups are prohibited within the 15 feet between equipment.

For beach vendors, all secondary beach chairs and umbrellas must be stored at the dune line and setup on demand only. Chairs and umbrellas must be rented and occupied at the time of setup for the secondary rows.

According to the order, the mayor and the emergency management coordinator can close the beach at any time if social distancing is not followed.

A violation of the order is a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

The Island is a popular place to visit and the public should be mindful that the COVID-19 virus is still impacting the Rio Grande Valley, a post from the City of South Padre Island Facebook page states. While on the beach, everyone should follow protocols to prevent further spread of this virus.

To view the entire order, visithttps://tinyurl.com/ydhzofdc.

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City beach accesses to remain open; Island amends, extends beach operations order - Brownsville Herald

But the national estimate for R, which now sits between 0.7 and 0.9, is an average. The figure hides hotspots including Leicester, Bradford, Blackburn and Herefordshire where case numbers have jumped again.

Dr Kucharski suggests the concept of "transmission budgets", where the value of R is broken down into its constituent parts, is a useful one for policymakers looking forward.

"Countries essentially have a 'transmission budget' when it comes to Covid-19," he Tweeted as the Prime Minister pondered a further relaxation of lockdown this week.

"Global patterns suggest there are only so many things that can go back to normal before flare-ups start happening".

One problem in the UK is that we don't know with any precision how different measures, such as school or office reopenings, contribute to the overall budget.

However, there is some evidence from overseas. A study conducted in Hong Kong when schools were closed and track and trace was operating was able to isolate and measure the effectof other interventions as they were introduced and then relaxed.

"One of the most consequential physical distancing measures appears to be the work at home policy for civil servants, which was mirrored by many other institutions and private employers", say the authors.

"We estimated that the effectiveness of implementation of civil servants working from home was 67 per cent and the effectiveness of implementation of additional physical distancing measures including closure of high-risk places/facilities [such as bars and restaurants] was 58 per cent."

A separate study looked at nine interventions in 41 countries between January and April 2020 and found eight of them to be effective.

Closing schools reduced R by an average of 50 per cent. Other things that worked included: closing non-essential businesses (34 per cent); closing high-risk businesses (26 per cent); limiting gatherings to 10people or less (28 per cent); and issuing stay-at-home orders (14 per cent).

The "surprisingly large role for schools" the study found will worry policymakers and underlines how tight the UK's transmission budget is. It may partly explain why the Prime Minister did not order a full return to office work this week.

"Working out these budgets is incredibly difficult," says Prof Hunter, who like many other experts urges caution in the absence of firm evidence. "Wedon'tknow with certainty what the real numbers are for each activity in the UK."

Preventing a resurgence in Covid cases is one thing, stopping a separate winter wave another perhaps. Five out of 10of the last big respiratory outbreaks have featured significant subsequent waves, four of them after a summer trough.

Already there is evidence that winter in the southern hemisphere is having an effect, the cold weather forcing people inside and the Three Cs starting to overlap. The strong second peak of cases in Victoria, Australia provides the strongest hint of possible trouble to come in the UK once winter sets in.

"As soon as the bad weather comes and we start living indoors again, thats likely to be a big boost to the R value," says Prof Hunter.

"I suspect that unless by then we have an effective test, track and trace system in place which to be honest isn't looking promising at the moment then we, almost certainly, will go into a second wave."

The "reasonable worst case scenario"for the UK winter was laid out in a Government commissioned report by the Academy of Medical Sciences last week.

The modelling suggested a further 120,000 hospital patients would die in a peak occurring early in the new year if R rose to 1.7 in the UK over winter.

A less severe second wave might lead to 1,300 or 75,000 deaths between September 2020 and June 2021 if the R value rises to 1.1 or 1.5 respectively, it said.

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Analysis: Heres why BLM protests, crowded beaches and eased lockdown have not caused a second wave - Telegraph.co.uk

PARIS (Reuters) - Parisians heading to the opening of Paris Plages, the yearly transformation of sections of the Seine river into man-made beaches, were met with a new attraction on Saturday: COVID-19 test centres.

A series of indicators across the country, including in the French capital, have suggested the virus could once again be gaining momentum. Authorities are pushing an aggressive testing policy to avoid a return to the peaks seen from March to May.

At Paris-Plages people have got the time and they really want to know whether they have been sick ... and there are those who need a certificate to travel on some airlines to go on holiday, Muriel Prudhomme, a doctor and deputy at the townhalls health department, told Reuters as a steady stream of people of all ages came to be tested.

The artificial beaches on the banks of the Seine in central Paris and the Bassin de la Villette, a man-made lake in the northeast of the city, have been a raging success since they were launched by Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe in 2002.

As well as sand and views of central Paris architecture, Paris Plage offers sporting opportunities such as fencing, giant table-football, and open-air gyms looking out over the Seine, although this year the tighter health restrictions have limited some of the activities.

Along the banks of the river and the Bassin de la Villette, medical teams are now in place at two locations until the end of August offering serological and standard PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests with a capacity to carry out 150 to 200 a day.

Im taking all necessary precautions, but there are so many people that dont seem to care, said pensioner Nicole Gressier. Im going to see my granddaughter who I havent seen for nine months, so when I was strolling here I saw it was possible to be tested, so why not?

The disease has killed more than 30,000 people in France. While it has been under control with fatalities and the number of people in intensive care falling, daily cases have increased ahead of the summer holiday season as people gather in larger groups and travellers come to and from France without specific quarantine measures.

Kais Arbi, 25, who lives in a northwestern Parisian suburb, took the test knowing that he was travelling to see his family in Tunisia in the coming weeks.

I did the PCR test so I know my current state of health, said Arbi, who tested negative. I dont want to spread it to another country.

Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Hugh Lawson

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Going to the beach in Paris? Why not test for COVID-19? - Reuters

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) Visitors at a Twin Cities beach learned police watch them in ways they didnt expect.

The Golden Valley Police Department used a drone to catch beachgoers breaking the law by going topless or nude at Twin Lake, just west of Theodore Wirth Park.

The serenity on the somewhat hidden beach is what draws visitors, along with an understanding of sorts that many freely bare their body. Elsie Olin frequents the beach.

Its really well known for being a safe place to just be comfortable, Olin said.

When Olin she was there Friday, July 10, that freedom of expression wasnt free from consequence as officers began taking information from people to potentially cite them for being topless or nude.

Golden Valley Police Det. Sgt. Randy Mahlen says something had to be done.

It had reached the point where it was time for people to be held accountable for their actions, Mahlen said.

He said they have received more than a dozen complaints this spring and summer regarding people being nude, drinking alcohol or doing drugs at the beach. Over the past weeks, he said officers strictly educated beachgoers on the laws and gave warnings. But repeated complaints led to Fridays enforcement. It included seven officers from GVPD and Minneapolis Parks Police.

At that point everybody was fully clothed. We had tops on. There was no indecent exposure, Olin said.

Even though their clothes were back on, it was too late. Mahlen said people were caught in the act thanks to their drone that was surveying the beach from afar. GVPD has officers who are trained drone pilots. They use the flying camera for several types of surveillance or police activity. The surveillance at the beach was legal since its a public place.

What it did was validate all of these complaints weve been getting from residents, Mahlen said. It would be no different than a surveillance camera in a public place for a high-crime area.

Paula Chesley was at a secluded spot on Twin Lake not far from the main beach. She was laying on her stomach and reading a book with her bathing suit top pulled down, exposing her breasts. She was shocked when several officers approached her and asked for her information to potentially write her a citation.

If they are gonna cite anyone for toplessness Im glad its me because I have energy to fight this, Chesley said. I think its really silly that people of all genders with all sorts of breasts cant show them.

Learning that police used a drone as part of their investigation gave her a different feeling.

It does make you feel uncomfortable to just think like, oh, how often am I being watched? And what kind of authority is going on here? she said.

Beachgoers that day also felt officers targeted certain people based on their skin color.

The two or three Black people that were super visible on the beach, [officers] went straight for them, Olin said.

Other witnesses in a Facebook video from that day also accused police singling out People of Color as some of the first to have their information take for being topless or nude.

Mahlen said officers were prepared to take information from several people who had been topless or nude, but that hostility from the crowd changed their plans.

We made the choice that things were only escalating and we chose to leave, he said.

Fridays incident comes at a time when the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is discussing whether to repeal an ordinance that bans women from being topless at city parks and beaches. Here is the ordinance PB2-21: Proper Attire Required:

No person ten [10] years of age or older shall intentionally expose his or her own genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast below the top of the areola, with less than a fully opaque covering in or upon any park or parkway, as defined in PB1-1. This provision does not apply to theatrical, musical, or other artistic performances upon any park or parkway where no alcoholic beverages are sold.

Chris Meyer, District 1 Commissioner for the MPRB, supports repealing the ordinance. He wrote about it in a Facebook post saying in part:

I firmly believe the law should treat people equally regardless of gender. In spaces where men are allowed to go shirtless, women and transgender people should be able to as well. Inversely, in spaces where it would be inappropriate for women to expose their chests, it should be inappropriate for men as well. People should not be discriminated against just because heterosexual men have oversexualized them. Any argument that can be made against the exposure of a womans chest should apply just as strongly against the exposure of a mans chest.

If the ordinance is repealed, it could potentially impact the beach at Twin Lake since part of the lake is in Theodore Wirth Park. Both Olin and Chesley feel a change in the law is necessary.

Nudity is natural. Theres nothing sexual about my breasts, Olin said.

Chesley agrees.

I can understand peoples concerns based on the sexualization of the female breasts, and I would like to be able to move toward not so much sexualization of that, Chesley said.

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Police Use Drones To Check For Nudity On Twin Cities Beach - CBS Minnesota

Tens of thousands of Israelis flocked to beaches and national parks on Saturday for a final weekend swim, ahead of expected tighter restrictions on Fridays and Saturdays set to begin July 24.

Tseelon and Gofra beaches at the Sea of Galilee were shut due to overcrowding, and authorities asked visitors not to travel to the Dor, Beit Yanai and Palmachim beaches on the Mediterranean coast, which all reached capacity.

New public restrictions authorized by the government to combat the spread of the coronavirus entered into effect Friday at 5 p.m., limiting public gatherings until further notice and shuttering various leisure and fitness activities for the duration of the weekend.

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A tighter weekend lockdown is likely to take effect from next Friday, including potential restrictions on movement and the closing of beaches.

Illustrative people enjoy the beaches at the Sea of Galilee, on June 19, 2020 (David Cohen/Flash90)

On Friday, Dr. Hagai Levine, an epidemiologist who is the head of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians, criticized the expected beach closures, saying that transmission rates of the coronavirus were lower in outdoor areas.

Unfortunately, we see that our government is acting irrationally, and without an epidemiological basis. The beach is precisely the safest place, as the risk of infection in the open air is tens of times smaller than infection in an indoor place, he told the Kan public broadcaster.

It was a sentiment backed by beachgoers in the central town of Rishon Lezion, who told the Ynet news site that it seemed illogical to close the coastline.

As long as we keep our distance here with masks, no one can get infected. There are places that need to be closed, but here it is unnecessary, a woman named only as Ravit told the news site.

Israelis enjoy the beach in Tel Aviv on July 18, 2020 (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

Ron, who works at Tzuk Beach in Tel Aviv, also disagreed with the potential closure. For me it doesnt make sense at all. They come and decide to close all the beaches for no real justifiable reason, he said. Its sad that next week there will be more people without a livelihood.

The government has been accused by some of making the decision to shut beaches without any scientific basis, and instead focusing on a comment made by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, who told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the countrys beaches are like a can of sardines at the weekends.

A last-minute reversal by the government on Friday led to a decision to keep restaurants open until Tuesday, when they will be shuttered until further notice for all but takeaways and deliveries. The government changed course when it faced widespread threats by restaurant owners to defy the closure order.

Under the new rules, gyms and fitness studios closed at 5 p.m. on Friday until further notice. Gatherings of over 10 people indoors, and 20 outdoors, are also forbidden until further notice, but work groups and nuclear families are exempt.

Additionally, government offices will be limited to 50% capacity and will be closed to the public, except for online services, until further notice.

Meanwhile, only on weekends until further notice, shops will close but stores offering essential services, such as pharmacies and supermarkets, will be allowed to remain open.

Malls, markets, barbers, hairdressers, beauty parlors, libraries, zoos, museums, exhibition spaces, pools and tourist sites will also be closed on weekends.

Chairs outside a fast food restaurant on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem on July 17, 2020 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)The weekend restrictions take effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, and are lifted at 5 a.m. on Sunday.

Netanyahu on Thursday asked Knesset Law Committee Chairman MK Yaakov Asher to prepare legislation to be voted on next week that would grant the government the authority to declare full lockdowns on weekends.

Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn vowed there will be no limits on demonstrations or on courts, even if a full lockdown is enacted down the road.

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Tens of thousands at beaches, parks ahead of expected lockdowns on weekends - The Times of Israel

Im walking my dog down our lonely road in Newtown when a driver pulls over to ask directions.

Is there a beach around here?

The Pup and I were just pondering how to end this column about beaches. Then this guy arrives to serve as start and finish.

The driver and I stare at each other for a moment. Hes probably wondering why this would be a difficult question. Meanwhile, Im contextualizing. Thirty miles from the nearest sand along Long Island Sound might seem like around here to someone from, say, South Dakota.

Um, sorry, I finally reply. You probably saw the lake around the corner. Theres no beach.

Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time Editorial Page Editorial John Breunig won honorable mention in the print humor category in the National Society of Newspaper Columnists annual column contest. Breunig is a repeat winner in the category and a past honoree in the general interest category.

Well loop back to that in 625 words.

Yes, Im being a tad strict with my beach definition. Having lived near a shoreline most of my life, I confess to mourning its absence since moving from Stamford a couple years ago. So does The Kid. He also misses city life, so we drive two hours with Mom to visit a friend in Queens, New York, for a one-day vacation at Americas largest urban beach.

Dont look, its a surprise, he warns before dawns early light. My eyes are still closed, so this game works for me.

But I am surprised, as he is making sandwiches for the first time in his eight years. He also crams blankets, a pop-up tent, umbrella, chairs and a bucket of beach toys into the trunk of our Honda Civic.

The Civic briefly surrenders a couple miles into the trip when the plastic undercarriage splash shield sags after popping a button. Not to be thwarted, I perform meatball surgery with zip ties.

One of the many wonders of Rockaway Beach is that it is free. The only price is the walk of shame in lugging said blankets, tent, umbrella, chairs, bucket and cooler from a space in front of a neighborhood house.

They refer to people like you as being Down for the Day, our friend says of her neighbors. She says some carry so much they resemble the Grinch tilting in his overstuffed sled.

The Kid and I further dress the part by wearing Hawaiian shirts. I make a silent pledge to don a Ramones Rockaway Beach T-shirt should we ever return to Hawaii.

Choosing a spot on the beach during the pandemic reminds me of movie-goers shuffling for the best seat in the Avons smaller theater in Stamford. A woman on the horizon settles into her spot. A family parks on her left, apparently too close for comfort. So she does the crab crawl to the right. A couple lands and traps her on the other side.

Beach policy calls for masks when not in the water, with parks staff offering them as needed. While social distancing is respected, people clearly dread bringing home a mask tan even more than COVID. As a nudge to passersby, I make masks from napkins and put them on a couple of Barbie dolls that were stowaways in the bucket of toys. It is a dud, as a pack of nearby high schoolers squeeze together for a self-declared moment-in-time selfie. If theres any age group to maintain social distancing from right now, its recently retired high schoolers.

My fellow day tripper, meanwhile, pretends to charge the waters like the Beatles running from girls at the opening of A Hard Days Night (hes been binging), poses as Mr. Narwhal rising from the Arctic waters in Elf, and rolls in the sand to do his impersonation of a cinnamon doughnut.

As always, I am able to mine curative powers from the ocean. Rather than rub salt to sting wounds, the salt water is a magical elixir of healing properties. It cures the toothache in my heel, the poison ivy in my soul and clears sinuses clogged with anxiety.

It also is a chance to consider the NOMB (Not on My Beach) issue from the other end of the periscope. The matter of New Yorkers storming beaches is a hot topic in Stamford right now, and has always sizzled in Greenwich. I get it, but have never been able to get past the elemental reasoning that the waterfront should be available to everyone.

So, here we are, Connecticut Yankees putting the flip-flop on the other foot. I learn that the Rockaway neighbors like to forego their driveways in favor of street parking to block out space invaders. Its like Shippan with street smarts.

So, 625 words and a day later, were back in Newtown trying to advise steamy travelers in search of sand. I recommend nearby hiking trails, only to read disappointment in their faces.

I can understand, I offer sympathetically. We used to live in Stamford and miss the beaches.

Oh, we came from Stamford, they reply.

I guess were all going against the tide.

John Breunig is editorial page editor of The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time. Jbreunig@scni.com; twitter.com/johnbreunig.

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John Breunig: Flip-flop is on the other foot when visiting beaches in New York - CT Insider