Jeran Fraser decided to do more than just complain about the closure of the local beaches and ocean waters he loves so much. So, the Carlsbad resident consulted with scientists and local biotech companies, to learn more about how the coronavirus spreads, and how social distancing can help reduce that spread.

Fraser, whos an avid surfer, fisherman, and founder of a sports-tech start-up, then shared what he learned with county supervisors and coastal mayors.

That information included a letter from a local biotech CEO who argued that a managed opening up of beaches, trails, and water so residents can safely move about, will greatly relieve crowding and enable more effective social distancing conditions.

Fraser, whos also a partner with Famous Surf Accessories, agrees with that approach.

I think our goal is to kind of put a little pressure on (local government,) and provide them with the correct science, he told NBC 7. So weve been in contact directly with the county Board of Supervisors and the Department of Public Health.

Like many of his friends and colleagues, Fraser is happy that the local government has a plan to reopen beaches. That two-step approach starts with reopening our beaches and bays for running, walking, surfing, and swimming.

But Fraser, like so many other county residents, desperately wants to hear an actual opening date. He also thinks our elected officials and public health experts should do a better job of keeping San Diegans informed of the re-opening process.

Fraser has one other priority: I do believe we have to create some sort of mandate in which beaches are all opened together, so we dont all flock to one place, and defeat the important goal of continued social distancing, Fraser said.

Hes hoping for a uniform May 1 reopening along the coast but understands that there are a lot of factors at play.

To learn more about Frasers effort, click here.

Read this article:

Surfers, Swimmers, Beach-Lovers Want Answers: When Will We Get Back in the Water, and on the Sand? - NBC 7 San Diego

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas People are back out on the sand and in the water as beaches opened across South Padre Island today.

Cameron County announced the reopening of the coastline and community parks on Friday and residents immediately flocked to the island.

Dozens came out to the coast to enjoy some much needed sun and fresh air.

The island is open, however, there are limitations in place.

Visitors are required to wear masks, practice social distancing, not allowed to meet in groups larger than five, and have curfews in place.

Consider everyone else, take extra precautions, be more calm about it be more open-minded and things like that and still be aware that the virus is still out there but make it fit with your everyday life, said Anthony Garcia, a Brownsville resident who was thrilled to be back on the beach.

To read more rules on each of the beachs access areas and parks, visit here.

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Visitors flock to the beach as South Padre Island reopens - KGBT-TV

City officials have come up with a plan that will be presented to city council on Thursday.

GALVESTON, Texas The city of Galveston was once a bustling beach town, but it has gone quiet during the coronavirus pandemic.

There are empty beaches, local attractions are closed and restaurants have closed their doors to abide by the new normal.

Soon, everything could change.

We are looking to the governor and the state level and the timelines and the businesses affected. What we are doing is getting all 13 cities and the mayors together, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said.

Henry said the goal is to come up with a plan and reopen all cities in the county at the same time.

Coordination between all 13 cities is important. We wouldnt want to have restaurants open in one place and not in another place because then people would flock there and overwhelm that system when we really would like to have it all done at the same time, Henry said.

City officials have come up with a plan that will be presented to city council on Thursday.

In the plan, they have a directive for restaurants to open but dining parties have to be placed 6 feet apart. All workers will have to wear masks.

Bars and clubs would also be open but must practice social distancing and no dancing will be allowed.

Hotels will also be allowed to reopen their pools.

Retail establishments will open for curbside delivery options.

City beaches will be open for exercise only in the morning and afternoon.

Major attractions will remain closed until further evaluation.

It's all still a proposal.

We dont want to jump the gun. We want to make sure we do this in the proper and sequence manner as directed by the governors office, Henry said.

A timeline to reopen has not yet been set. That will be discussed during the Galveston city council meeting on Thursday.

The city said this is all based on the advice and data provided by local health authorities and UTMB.

Coronavirus symptoms

The symptoms of coronaviruscan be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according tothe Centers for Disease Control. Some patients also have nausea, body aches, headaches and stomach issues. Losing your sense of taste and/or smell can also be an early warning sign.

Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. Astudy of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.

But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to theWorld Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk for becoming seriously ill. However, U.S. experts are seeing a significant number of younger people being hospitalized, including some in ICU.

The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.

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Great news if you watch TV with an antenna

KHOU has just upgraded its technology. If you were unable to receive KHOU with your antenna in the past, try again on channel 11.11. You may have to rescan your channels for it to work if thats the case, weve got some instructions at KHOU.com/antenna. If you already see KHOU on 11.1, you may now ALSO see it on 11.11 its the exact same programming. Were really excited to be able to bring our KHOU 11 News, CBS shows and sports, Wheel of Fortune, Ellenand Great Day Houston to more homes around the area. If youre still having trouble, please contact us here and well try to get you set up.

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Here is Galveston's plan to open its restaurants and beaches - KHOU.com

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) The towns of Edisto Beach and Kiawah Island have responded to Governor McMasters recent executive order reopening public beach access.

Edisto Beach Town Council voted to continue checkpoints restricting island access to residents and immediate family members until at least May 30. The original exceptions still apply.

Public beach access will also be limited to residents, renters, lease holders, and property owners of the Town, and their verified immediate family members (defined as spouse, children, parents, grandparents). Beaches should only be used for the purposes of exercise and recreational activities and social distancing rules still apply. The ordinance emphasizes that day visitors are specifically prohibited from utilizing the public beach access during the effective time of this Emergency Ordinance 2020-14.

Kiawah Island noted that most of their beaches are private, so they did not fall under the Governors order. The exception is Beachwalker County Park, which they have decided will remain closed.

See the rest here:

Edisto Beach and Kiawah respond to opening of public beaches - WCBD News 2

Southern Californians can still walk, hike and bike outdoors without violating Gov. Gavin Newsoms stay-at-home order, but public agencies are urging residents to stay home as much as possible, and many are urging people to wear masks when they go out.

Local, state and federal agencies have closed or severely limited access to beaches, parks, trails and forests. The result: Southern Californias freeways have seen dramatic reductions in traffic, and the areas residential streets and sidewalks have seen a surge in walkers.

And many are masked.

On April 1, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti urged Angelenos to start wearing masks on all outings not high-quality, hard-to-find N95 masks, which medical professionals need, but basic cloth masks and bandannas that might reduce the spread of droplets carrying the coronavirus. The same week, the CDC made the same recommendation for public settings.

L.A. Countys beaches, piers, beach bike paths, beach access points, public trails and trailheads are closed through at least April 19. That order covers beaches in every coastal city and unincorporated area of the county. The city of Los Angeles closed its hiking trails as well.

Stay at home, Garcetti has said. This is not a game where the city closes one venue and people chase and try to find one thats open. This is a moment to stay. Go for a walk around the block if you need to get out.

Heres an update on whats happening where. If you do go outside for a walk, remember these tips for keeping safe. Local and state officials stress the need to take greater care in maintaining a social distance of at least 6 feet from others.

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LAPD clears people from using the skate park at Venice Beach during the coronavirus Stay at Home order in Venice Beach. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

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The sun sets as a lonely figure cycling up the First Street bridge towards Boyle Heights. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)

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I miss going out. We do whatever we can do now, to stay active, says Alejandro flores, 17, who hits a baseball into the wide open field in Boyle Heights during his familys walk outside (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)

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Matthew Huff, left, who has lived in Los Angeles for 10 years and works as a personal trainer and rideshare driver, works out with his friend Cuauhtli, last name not given, at a park in the Boyle Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)

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Wearing gloves and a mask, Robyn Freeman of Orange County prays after taking Communion on Sunday at the Godspeak Calvary Church in Newbury Park. Communion was given at the church using social distancing and other precautions. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)

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RMG, a business that normally supplies the Fashion District with cleaning supplies and toilet paper, is now offering those supplies to anyone who needs them during the coronavirus pandemic. Pedro Bermudez offers some of the supplies to a motorist. (Mariah Tauger/Los Angeles Times)

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Sisters Eleanor, 14, left, and Harper Ragle, 12, work on a nature journal for class while on the sidewalk near their home in Echo Park. Eleanor is writing about the details she sees in the bush beside her. I miss my friends, Eleanor said. Being out of school isnt as great as school. Eleanor made the cloth masks for her and her sister during an instructional Zoom call with a teacher at Renaissance Arts Academy. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)

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McDonalds employees and supporters strike outside a McDonalds in Crenshaw demanding the company cover healthcare costs of any worker or immediate family member who gets sick from COVID-19. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)

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A person who wishes to remain anonymous strikes from her car to support McDonalds employees who are demanding the company cover healthcare costs of any worker or immediate family member who gets sick from COVID-19 in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)

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A Palm Springs resident finds the serenity of a closed golf course at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort the perfect place for afternoon reading during the coronavirus pandemic. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

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June Gilmore, of Laguna Woods, uses a loud speaker and sign as her husband, Brian Gilmore, honks his horn while joining mostly Laguna Woods seniors protesting after learning nearby Ayres Hotel will be used to treat homeless COVID-19 patients. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

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Adeline Hernandez, 2, of Riverside seems perplexed by the yellow caution tape as she approaches the closed off swing sets at Ryan Bonaminio Park. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

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A family walk with dogs as they cross quiet Hillside Road in Rancho Cucamonga as many residents observe stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

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A man dressed as Superman advertises face masks along Washington Boulevard in Marina del Rey. When asked why he was out there and for his true identity he responded with a stern no and walked away. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti has requested all residents wear makeshift masks in public. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

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Cassidy Roosen, with Beach Cities Health District, holds up a sign that says, Were All in This Together, while waiting to direct cars at a drive-through, appointment-only coronavirus testing location at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

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Spyder Surfboards store owner Dennis Jarvis, right, and his son Luke work on building skateboards as part of their drive-through skateboard building at their flagship store in Hermosa Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

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Aniza Serrano hands out one of 400 free orchids that were ordered for the now canceled Easter services in front of a church in East Hollywood. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

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Grocery carts block off the front parking area as Best Buy is open for curbside pickup only during the coronavirus pandemic. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

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On Sunset Boulevard in Los Feliz, Greg Barris, in cowboy hat, picks up fresh produce he ordered through County Line Harvest, a local vegetable farm. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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Chantael Duke, 32, sits on the steps off of Sunset Boulevard in Los Feliz. She lost her two jobs due to coronavirus closures. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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Juliann Hartman, center, and her husband, Butch, wave signs they created to cheer up people on Calabasas Road in Calabasas during the pandemic. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Grace Carter, 15, of Riverside, practices a dance routine at home after dance classes and school were canceled. She has to use the Zoom app on her iPhone to practice with her dance group."Its hard. My bedroom is a smaller space. I miss all my friends at the studio, Grace said. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

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Dusk falls in a deserted downtown Los Angeles on April 2. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)

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A man works from his home in Long Beach. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)

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Jerome Campbell takes a walk along Ocean Boulevard at dusk in Long Beach. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)

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A San Bernardino County healthcare worker takes a sample at a coronavirus drive-through testing site at the county fairgrounds in Victorville. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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A Metro general service employee disinfects a bench in Boyle Heights. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

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Vendors sell masks along San Pedro Street in the garment district of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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A runner jogs past the Pottery Barn in Pasadena. Some businesses in the area have boarded up their stores. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Raquel Lezama and daughter Monica Ramos collect meals for the family at Manual Arts High School. Lezama was laid off from her $17.76-an-hour job at a Beverly Hills hotel. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Homeless artist Matteo defends his work against removal by the Los Angeles Sanitation Department and police in Venice. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

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Kylie Wortham, who was laid off because of the coronavirus, relaxes with a book in a hammock overlooking the beach in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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People wearing face masks shop at the Santa Monica farmers market. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

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A medical staff member enters Cedar Mountain Post Acute Care Facility in Yucaipa after 51 residents and six staff members tested positive for COVID-19. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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The Iron City Tavern in San Pedro tries an incentive to lure takeout customers. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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The streets of San Pedro are quiet as people remain in their homes due to the coronavirus. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)

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Healthcare workers gather outside UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center to call for further action from the federal government in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Kristen Edgerle of Victorville collects information from a blood donor before drawing blood at The Richard Nixon Presidential Library blood drive during the coronavirus pandemic in Yorba Linda. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

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Jonathan Sanchez, manager of Choppys Produce Company at the LA Wholesale Produce Market, stands with an excess of inventory in the wake of the coronavirus Covid19 shutdown as LAs produce wholesalers are seeing their business decline over 80%. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)

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A woman has the sidewalk all to herself while walking along California St. in downtown Ventura. Foot traffic is very light as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)

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A city worker, wearing a protective suit and mask, sweeps around the Echo Park Community Center that is one of several recreation centers in Los Angeles that has been converted for homeless housing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The center is filled to capacity with over 30 beds available to the homeless. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

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Shauna Jin of Los Angeles, with her dog, Bodhi, practices social distancing with John Kiss of Los Angeles at the entrance of Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

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A maintenance worker cleans the entrance of Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles. The park is closed to the public because of the coronavirus. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

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A lending library had some additional useful items, including a roll of toilet paper and cans of beans and corn, in a Hermosa Beach neighborhood. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Protesters drive by the Getty House, the home of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, in Hancock Park. Tenant advocates are demanding a total moratorium on evictions during the coronavirus crisis. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Security guard Marcos Ayala of East Los Angeles helps the Hermosa Beach Police Department close off the Strand and a two-mile stretch of Hermosa Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Link:

Open and closed trails, parks, beaches in California - Los Angeles Times

MARCO ISLAND

Marco Island City Council approved opening two beach access points in a 4-3 vote Monday.

The council wants to open an entrance and exit for a beach area on the island beginning Monday, April 13. The plan includes limiting the amount of gear individuals can bring. And the access areas would be open from dawn until dusk.

This access point will be located at Maple Avenue and Collier Boulevard will be for entry only.

There will be one egress point located at Winterberry Drive and Collier Boulevard for exit only.

The City will have signs located at each of these pedestrian access points. There will be no beach parking lots open and no parking on residential streets.

The idea of the opening is to allow residents who are able to the ability to walk on the beach.

If visitors are considering coming to the beach, they should note that there will not be parking available.

Social distancing guidelines will still be enforced and the Marco Island Police Department will continue to monitor the beaches to ensure people are not congregating in groups.

The city said the following in a release on the beach access opening:

This is a highly stressful time for all, and being outside, exercising, and enjoying the beach is an outlet that can help many of our residents cope. That is the only motivation for allowing pedestrian access at this time. Public health is of the utmost importance and that priority will continue to inform our decision making as we go forward. Continued availability of access will be entirely dependent on adherence by beach-goers of all appropriate social distancing guidelines.

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Marco Island approves opening entrance, exit beach access points - Wink News

The beaches of Wildwood and North Wildwood will close on Wednesday to help fight the spread of coronavirus.

In a joint statement released Monday afternoon by the city of Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron and North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello, the beaches in both towns would be closed beginning midnight Wednesday, April 8 through at least May 1.

Furthermore, Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera announced on Facebook the boroughs beaches and bike path were closed until further notice, and Avalon also announced its beaches and boardwalk would close.

The mayors of Wildwood and North Wildwood also halted short-term rentals of 30 days or less through sites such as Airbnb with the exception of municipal, state, county, or federal agencies who require the use of a location. Employees of essential businesses would also be exempt from the ban.

The mayors added that while they are also closing the North Wildwood and Wildwood boardwalks and the North Wildwood Bike Path and Seawall, people will be permitted to walk, run, or bike on the North Wildwood locations before 8 a.m.

In Avalon, the towns mayor said the town has to make tough decisions to stress that social distancing and stay-at-home orders are necessary to get through the pandemic. The town is also stopping short-term rentals.

There will be a time when properties can be rented, and visited freely, but that time is not now. Im asking every property owner and rental platform to strictly adhere to these painful but necessary executive orders and directives as health and safety are our only priorities at this time," Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi said in a statement released on the boroughs website.

The move follows what many other shore towns are currently doing to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Cape May has banned short-term rentals and closed its beaches and its Promenade. Ocean City has also banned short-term rentals, along with Seaside Heights, Sea Isle City, and Asbury Park.

Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether its a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share. If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, subscribe to our Coronavirus in N.J. newsletter.

If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, subscribe to our Coronavirus in N.J. newsletter.

Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews or on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

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4 more Jersey Shore towns closing their beaches, boardwalks, halting rentals due to coronavirus - NJ.com

SOUTHEAST N.C. Oceanfront towns across the region have closed access to the beaches and ended all short-term rental with the hopes of slowing the spread of Covid-19. Because tourists, by definition, are not from the area an influx in population from other places would put locals at a higher risk of contracting the virus from someone visiting from another city.

There has been plenty of debate on the fairness of the closures with elected leaders on both sides of the argument, but questions still remain like how much authority does a town have to actually take these actions and is it the beach itself that is closed, or just access to it?

In general, the beaches of North Carolina are not owned by municipalities or private residents, instead, they are in the public trust. This means nobody really owns the beaches (they are a public trust and thus, in essence, the people own them). However, towns are typically granted some extraterritorial jurisdiction allowing them to police the sand.

This is why, for example, Freeman Park is open to the public for those who want to walk on to the property because the town does not have the right to keep people off the beach.

So how are all these beach towns closing down access to a publicly held resource?

The declaration of a state of emergency gives municipalities and counties significant power, as seen during hurricane season government can even force people to leave their homes (mandatory evacuations).

Related: Corona Break: Thousands gather on Carolina Beach as Town Council votes to close beach accesses [Free read]

But many of the towns across the region have been deliberate with their words when it comes to closing the beaches. Most of the municipalities have played it safe by closing public beach accesses and parking lots, effectively making a boat or private beach access the only way someone could get onto the sand. The question remains: can towns actually shut down the beaches for boaters and those with their own access?

The town of Carolina Beach is working on answering that question.

We have closed all public beach accesses and public parking lots. Whether we can restrict property owners who have private accesses to the beach from going on it is in question and we hope to have more clarification on it very soon, Town Manager Bruce Oakley said.

New Hanover Countys state of emergency declaration and subsequent closure of the beaches actually came after beach towns took place after the towns had already announced the closures. But even the countys declaration is worded to simply close beach access points.

New Hanover County, authorized by Board of Commissioners Chair Julia Olson-Boseman, issued a State of Emergency today, March 20, prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people and closing public beach access points, in order to ensure social distancing and reduce risk of COVID-19 [italics added], a statement from the county last month read.

The declaration itself is a little more explicit but still leaves some ambiguity.

Access to beaches including, but not limited to, wet and dry public trust strands is prohibited with noncompliance enforceable as a trespass and as otherwise authorized by General Statute 166A. This prohibition does not include boat launches or docks, according to the order from New Hanover County (it is worth noting that the county did, in fact, close boat launches and marinas later).

More recently, the state decided to closed Masonboro Island and Bird Island to all visitors. The state entity, the Department of Environmental Quality, issued the order to close both wet and dry sand beaches, effectively shuttering the unpopulated islands.

While beaches remain in the public trust it does appear that local authorities, as well as the state, do have the ability to close them off temporarily during a state of emergency.

Visit link:

Closing the beaches: Who actually has the authority to do it? - Port City Daily

Jersey Shore municipalities are taking advantage of a state administrative order to limit short-term rentals and bookings at hotels and motels.

The order is aimed at helping shore municipalities that are not equipped to handle large numbers of people who could require medical attention.

"This is not how social distancing works. No one should be leaving their primary residences, and especially for the shore communities that do not have the infrastructure, especially the health and first responder infrastructure in place particularly off-season to accommodate an influx of residents," Gov. Phil Murphy said Saturday.

Cape May City and Seaside Heights on Sunday put orders into effect on Sunday limiting rentals and bookings until further notice.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small issued his first executive order of the year to ban seasonal rentals and hotels and motels from accepting new guests.

Avalon Borough in Cape May County closed its beach and canceled all activities leading up to Memorial Day weekend, including the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep.

The governing bodies of Wildwood and North Wildwood will vote on Tuesday and Wednesday to ban short term rentals and transient rentals through April 30, and to close their boardwalks and beaches except for early morning runs and walks until May 1.

Point Pleasant Beach charged a property owner, John Galarza, of Staten Island, and tenant Crystal Tanfield, of Long Island City, New York, with violating the township's ban on short-term rentals. Tanfield, who had an agreement to be in the home between April 1 and May 15 with her husband and children, refused to vacate.

Galarza and Tanfield were charged with disorderly persons offenses.

Murphy on Tuesday signed an executive order closing all state and county parks, including Island Beach State Park, but many municipal parks remain open.

BOARDWALK CLOSED:

BEACHES CLOSED:

BEACH AND BOARDWALK CLOSED:

BEACHES OPEN:

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

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No rentals, beaches, boardwalks at these Jersey Shore towns - New Jersey 101.5 FM Radio

Duval County beaches will remain closed, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says.

This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. For the latest news on the coronavirus, subscribe to our free newsletter and download our app. Please support local journalism by subscribing to the Times-Union/jacksonville.com.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said Tuesday that local beaches will remain closed because there arent enough local police to enforce social distancing requirements amid the coronvavirus outbreak.

Curry said local officials have contemplated for more than a week opening the beaches to joggers, walkers and surfers and prohibiting gatherings, although he said it wouldnt be possible to enforce those rules.

"It's just not a risk we're willing to take," he said. "We can't have people unnecessarily being within 6 feet of each other. We have to face the reality of the situation we're in, and we have to make difficult choices so we can have the least amount of hospitalizations and deaths as possible."

COMPLETE COVERAGE | Coronavirus in Florida

The number of confirmed cases in Duval County rose to 524 people after the Florida Department of Health provided an update of testing results Tuesday morning. Ten people in Jacksonville have been confirmed as dying from the virus.

Less than 6 percent of Duval County residents tested are positive. While Curry said this was "good news," he said the data isnt an indication that the city is ready to resume life as usual.

"This is no time for us to rest and think we're out of this. In order to keep numbers low, we have to continue social distancing," Curry said.

CORONAVIRUS HEATMAP | Tracking Northeast Florida cases by ZIP code

Curry also addressed the death of a 5-year-old girl caught in the crossfire of a shooting Monday, saying that the State Attorney and Jacksonvilles Sheriffs Office would be providing an update on efforts to arrest the shooter.

The restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the pandemic havent slowed violent crime, which has remained stubbornly high under Currys tenure as mayor despite election pledges to lower crime and hiring more police officers.

Curry said he is still open to enacting a local curfew as a measure to both enforce social distancing and slow crime, although he said the city lacks resources to truly enforce it without taking police from needed areas. An official with the Sheriffs Office also noted that Mondays shooting, which happened around 4 p.m., would have taken place outside the hours of the curfew.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Coronavirus: Beaches will remain closed, according to Jacksonville mayor - The Florida Times-Union

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Police chief: The Seaside beach is closed to everyone, and that includes you - KPTV.com

Massachusettss state-managed coastal beaches remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, but beach-goers are limited in what theyre allowed to do.

And coastal beach parking areas are now temporarily closed, as of Friday afternoon, according to the state Department of Conservation & Recreation.

In addition, state-managed hockey rinks, campgrounds, golf courses, playgrounds, visitor centers, and athletic fields and courts are all closed through May 4, when the department will reassess the situation.

On Monday, Massachusetts State Police patrolled the area near Castle Island in South Boston to enforce the no parking order, according to a spokesman.

But state-managed coastal beaches are still open, albeit for passive recreational activities that only involve transitory movement (walking, jogging, running, etc.), DCR says.

Sitting, sunbathing, and other stationary recreational activities are prohibited on state beaches, the department says on its website. Additionally, athletic and recreational activities that bring participants into close, physical contact are prohibited.

Here are the Boston beach parking areas that have temporarily closed, according to DCR:

Carson Beach, M-Street Beach, Pleasure Bay, and Castle IslandDay Boulevard, South BostonParking lots at McCormack Bathhouse, WWII Memorial, Murphy Rink, and Castle Island are closed. On-street parking along ocean side of Day Boulevard from Columbia Road to Farragut Road is closed. All parking on Day Blvd. from Farragut Road to Shore Road is closed.

Malibu Beach, Savin Hill and Tenean BeachDorchesterParking lots at Malibu Beach and Savin Hill Beach off Denny Street are closed. Parking lot at Tenean Beach off Conley Street is closed.

Constitution Beach ParkBarnes Avenue, East BostonPorrazzo Ice Rink Beach Parking Area is closed.

Check out the full statewide list of closings.

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Mass. state coastal beaches remain open but dont plan on getting a tan. Heres what to know. - Boston.com

The Los Angeles Times is reporting potential COVID-19 infection risk at California beaches, not just from other people out for walks and surfing, but from the ocean and its spray.

The piece quotes Kim Prather, anatmospheric chemist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who"worries SARS-CoV-2 could enter the ocean from sewage spills and outfalls, and then reenter the atmosphere."Prather's concern about beach exposure to the virus, about which scientists are still learning, is not just about swimming in potentially polluted ocean waters, but the particulates and "microscopic pathogens" that could wash into the ocean from rains and be delivered by spray from waves carried on the wind. She also says,I wouldnt go in the water if you paid me $1 million right now.

Humboldt local Jennifer Savage, Surfrider's policy manager for California, is also quoted, in the piece, in support of beach closures around the state for the sake of public health, though those changes have been driven by concern over maintaining social distance. While Redwood State and National Parks have closed their parking lots, beaches in Humboldt County remain open with some restrictions for parking.

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L.A. Times: Scientists Concerned over Potential COVID-19 Exposure from Beach Walks and Swimming - North Coast Journal

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- State beaches in California are still open while most city beaches remain closed.

Despite social distancing orders, some beaches have been packed with people.

10News viewers have flooded us with emails like this one, saying in part, "There were large crowds at Solana Beach and Cardiff with tons of surfers. Is it time for citations?"

The city of San Diego shut down it's beaches weeks ago. Leaving iconic piers at Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach totally empty.

But, California State Beaches remain open. On the California Parks website, it says the beaches are closed for vehicles, but are still open for locals who wish to walk, hike, and bike. That includes Carlsbad, South Carlsbad, Cardiff, Torrey Pines, and Silver Strand State Beaches, among others.

So, here's the breakdown of what's open and what's closed.

State beaches and beaches in Oceanside are closed to vehicles, but open to the public for exercise only.

Some city beaches are completely closed, including San Diego, Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Imperial Beach.

Coronado city beaches are closed only on weekends.

The closures and non-closures have led to a lot of confusion, with many people worried they're just driving crowds from one area into another.

The statewide stay-at-home order has been in place for weeks now. The governor's website encourages people to still go outside for exercise, but to do it in your own neighborhood.

So, unless you can walk to the beach you probably shouldn't be there.

Continued here:

Local beaches: What's open and what's closed - 10News

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) COVID-19 wasnt the only scary thing spreading virally over the weekend.

A Los Angeles Times article published Thursday included this startling quote from Santa Rosa native Kim Prather, an atmospheric chemist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla:

I wouldnt go in the water if you paid me $1 million right now.

Her reason? According to the L.A. Times article, Prather fears that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could enter coastal waters [via runoff and wastewater discharges] and transfer back into the air along the coast.

In this hypothetical scenario, coronavirus excreted then processed in sewage treatment facilities survives and makes it to the sea where the crashing surf churns it into an aerosol that wafts along the shore where beachgoers inhale it and become infected.

So far, so scary. And Prathers (literal) money quote was all some news sites needed to crank up the clickbait. One Bay Area site Sunday had a front page photo of the beach at Crissy Field with Golden Gate Bridge in the background over the headline: California scientist warns people to stay away from beaches during COVID-19 pandemic.

A Google search for coronavirus prather beach will quickly demonstrate how quickly a new angle on the coronavirus pandemic can propagate among media outlets in this sheltered-in-place time.

But how real is the threat of catching COVID-19 by inhaling the fresh sea breeze? On Saturday, Dr. Prather took to social media to clarify her remarks to the Times.

Now, what about where I said I would not go into the ocean if you paid me? That was totally taken out of context and when I first read it, I cringed, Prather wrote in a lengthy post on her Facebook page. I made it very clear to (the Times reporter) that SARS-CoV-2 has not been detected in the ocean or atmosphere by anyone. Much research needs to be done to understand this virus and how/if it travels through the environment. It is also a virus that has a fragile envelope that if disrupted by heat or water kills the virus that is very good news.

The main point Prather wanted to make wasnt the danger of coronavirus blown ashore by surf spray. It was to dismiss the idea that 6 feet is some magic distance beyond which the coronavirus wont venture.

People infected with a virus can exhale small aerosol particles that do not settle out within 6 ft they can float around for hours. Note these are emitted into the air without coughing, Prather explained. Right now, there is a large fraction of people that are infected and do not have any symptoms. So, if they are surfing or running along the beach, they could be exhaling tiny infectious aerosol particles.

Perhaps the best takeaway from both the original Times article and Prathers social media post is this: coronavirus, when attached to invisibly-tiny water droplets, can travel much farther than six feet, no matter where or how it gets onto those droplets or into the air.

So, to breathe a little easier when youre outdoors or anywhere else among people, cover your face.

WEBLINKS

Is the coronavirus airborne? Experts cant agree (Nature)

Coronvirus at beaches? Scientist says stay away (LATimes.com)

Biological Activity Found to Affect Aerosols Produced from Sea Spray (Scripps Institution of Oceanography)

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Coronavirus At The Beach? In The Surf? In The Breeze? It's Complicated - CBS San Francisco

Several city and county officials took part in a conference call Monday afternoon to discuss how, and when, to reopen the beaches on Amelia Island.

Local beaches will not be opening in the foreseeable future, but Danny Leeper, chairman of the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners, said the purpose of the conference call was not to reopen the beaches, but to look ahead at what the opening of the beaches might look like. He said the opening should be done in stages with cooperation from all local agencies involved.

This is not about opening the beaches immediately today, or even next week, or maybe even next month, Leeper said. Our priority is to protect the public, but also to give our residents hope that your elected officials are doing all we can to bring some type of gradual return to normal life, whatever that might look like in the future. The goal is to have some concerted effort with our neighboring agencies that we all can agree on and not just one decision maker. Quite frankly, theres very little regional cooperation going on at the moment.

Fernandina Beach City Commis-sioner Chip Ross, who is an emergency room doctor, gave four benchmarks he believes should be met before beaches open again. He said local beaches should not open until all beaches in Northeast Florida, including the state parks on Amelia Island, are opened.

If one opens and the other one doesnt, I think the capillary reaction would be chaos or overloading that area, he said.

Ross said the Florida Department of Health issued a public advisory when the beaches closed that said all people over the age of 65 should stay at home. That advisory, he said, should be lifted before local beaches are opened, as well as the ban on the public use of restaurants in Florida.

Ross added he wants Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel, director of the Florida Department of Health Nassau County, to issue a public statement indicating when open access to the beaches is safe and meets the standard of preserving the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

However, Ngo-Seidel said she doesnt think her department will issue a statement. She said Nassau County should use federal and state guidelines as a minimum level of safety precautions.

All the people involved in the call said that cooperation between local agencies is crucial and that the beaches should be opened incrementally.

I have been in contact with other coastal counties in our region from Flagler to here, and the discussion has started about what will happen when we open regionally, Nassau County Emergency Management Director Greg Foster said. A phased opening is the general consensus, from letting people get to the beach without parking to full opening. There will be a regional plan, and if we wish to follow it, it will be discussed and ready to go.

County Manager and Attorney Mike Mullin said the county, with help from the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council, is keeping tabs, as much as possible, on people from other regions coming into the county. Mullin also said he is looking at policies set forth in Jacksonville, although he did not say those policies would be implemented in Nassau County.

Weve been tracking the lodging industry and who is checking in and checking out, Mullin said. We have some evidence of people from New York who checked in before the governors order, and were trying to see if we need to change the order. The mayor in Jacksonville has issued an order determining which lodging establishments are essential and which guests are essential. Its hard to discern the basis for that, but were looking at that.

Also discussed are businesses that have large stores where many people could be inside. Foster said that there has been no edict from the state limiting the number of customers a store can have inside, but that some smaller local businesses have been doing so.

All those who participated in the call said they believe the beaches should stay closed for the foreseeable future.

I think it would be foolish to open the beach any time soon, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said. Florida is a tourist state, Nassau is a tourist destination. People come here from all over the world, so we have to be aware of that. The majority of our citizens are following the emergency executive orders that have been put in place. We do, however, have a few that think theyre special and the order doesnt apply to them, that we have to shoo off the beach, which creates a strain on our resources.

Opening the beaches at this time would be contrary to the advice of epidemiologists, Ross said. People need to stay home except for buying food and supplies and medical necessities.

Its critical that we dont open the beaches up until we know we are getting the all-clear sign, AITDC Managing Director Gil Langley said. A misstep could hurt us more than what has occurred already.

Also participating in the call were Assistant County Manager Taco Pope, County Maintenance and Facilities Director Doug Podiak, Nassau County Sheriffs Office Legal Counsel Bobby Lippelman, NCSO Director of Operations Butch Osborne, and Fernandina Beach City Manager Dale Martin.

jroberts@fbnewsleader.com

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Governments talk about how to reopen the beaches - Fernandina Beach News-Leader

Three more Ocean County towns have collectively decided to close their beaches as the number of coronavirus cases in the county continued to mount this month.

The beaches of Point Pleasant Beach, Mantoloking and Bay Head will all close on Friday until further notice, the three towns announced in a Facebook post earlier this week.

While we deeply regret having to restrict this access to those who enjoy our beaches and have respected the Governors essential travel restrictions and practiced proper social distancing, the mounting numbers of coronavirus cases in Ocean County and New Jersey have made this decision a necessity to protect the safety and well-being of our local residents and other beachgoers, the joint announcement said.

As of Wednesday afternoon there at are least 1,209 positive coronavirus cases in Ocean County, the local health department reported, and 23 deaths, according to the latest numbers provided by Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday.

Come Friday, only one town on the Barnegat Peninsula will not have closed its beaches; Seaside Park. The 20-mile, narrow barrier peninsula stretches from Point Pleasant Beach to Seaside Park, and is a popular destination for summer visitors to the Jersey Shore. It has opted to close its boardwalk.

Seaside Heights, Ortley Beach and Lavallette closed boardwalks and beaches late last month, while Point Pleasant Beach had originally only elected to close its boardwalk.

Seaside Heights has also announced an emergency order prohibiting the rental of homes and any other type of rental units via AirBNB, VRBO and other online marketplaces in the borough.

If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, subscribe to our Coronavirus in N.J. newsletter.

Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether its a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

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3 more Ocean County beaches closing this week as coronavirus cases mount - NJ.com

More than 164,000 people worldwide are infected with coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, and the number of deaths from the outbreak continues to rise. Officials are attempting to contain the outbreak in the United States as schools, businesses and public events are closed or canceled. TheCenters for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases in the United Stateshere. Live updates for Monday, March 16, continue below: Kentucky to close restaurants, bars Update 10:40 a.m. EDT March 16: Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky announced Monday that he plans to order the closure of in-person service at restaurants and bars statewide to stymie the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus. It is our civic duty to do everything that we can to make sure that we are living up to our patriotic duty and that we are following all the instructions that we get, Beshear said Monday at a news conference. What we are doing is making sure that we take aggressive action.' As of Monday, Beshear said 21 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the state with patients ranging in age from 27 to 80. One person, a 66-year-old Bourbon County man, has died of coronavirus in the state, according to the governor. Folks we are going to have more cases, and weve got to expect more cases, Beshear said. White House Easter Egg Roll cancelled Update 10:20 a.m. EDT March 16: Officials announced the cancellation Monday of the annual White House Easter Egg Roll due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The health and safety of all Americans must be the first priority, especially right now, first lady Melania Trump said Monday in a statement. I deeply regret this cancellation, but we need to make difficult decisions in the short-term to ensure a healthy country for long-term. During this time, I encourage everyone to listen to state and local officials, and follow CDC guidelines in order to help protect the health and well-being of everyone. Womens tennis tour suspended until May Update 9:50 a.m. EDT March 16: Officials with the Womens Tennis Association announced the organization was suspending planned tournaments due to the threat posed by the 2019 novel coronavirus. Due to the ongoing global coronavirus outbreak, the WTA tournaments in Stuttgart (Germany), Istanbul and Prague will not be held as scheduled, officials with the organization said Monday in a statement. We will make a decision in the week ahead regarding the remaining WTA European clay court events and will continue to monitor this situation closely and its impact on the 2020 WTA Tour season. The WTA Tour was scheduled to resume May 2. US stock trading resumes Update 9:45 a.m. EDT March 16: Trading has resumed on the New York Stock Exchange after flailing numbers triggered a temporary trading halt known as a circuit breaker Monday morning. US stocks plunge at open, triggering another trading halt Update 9:35 a.m. EDT March 16: U.S. stocks plunged 8.1% at open, triggering a pause of trading Monday morning as investors worried over the economic impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus. The pause, known as a circuit breaker, began at 9:30 a.m. and was expected to last until 9:45 a.m. Michigan to close bars, restaurants statewide Monday Update 9:30 a.m. EDT March 16: Bars and restaurants across Michigan will be ordered to close beginning Monday at 3 p.m.,the Detroit Free Press reported, citing the governors office. Several other states have taken similar measures to curb the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus, including Ohio, Massachusetts, Illinois and California. Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday that he plans to sign a similar order closing bars and limiting restaurants to take-out only. US immigration hearings delayed Update 9:15 a.m. EDT March 16: Officials with the Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review announced the postponement Sunday of immigration hearings amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Authorities said Sunday in a tweet that master calendar dates for people who are not currently detained have been delayed. The hearings can include dozens of people in a single courtroom. There are 68 immigration courts nationwide. James Bond actress Olga Kurylenko says she has coronavirus Update 8:50 a.m. EDT March 16: The actress who starred opposite Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace,' a 2008 addition to the James Bond film franchise, said on social media Sunday that she had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Ive actually been ill for almost a week now. Fever and fatigue are my main symptoms, Kurylenko wrote in an Instagram post. Take care of yourself and do take this seriously!' Kennedy Space Center temporarily closes amid outbreak Update 7:50 a.m. EDT March 16:The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is closing temporarily starting today,CNN is reporting. It will remain closed until further notice,according to the complexs website The move comes in response to the prevention and control of COVID-19,'said the center, which is located inMerritt Island, Florida. When it is deemed safe for guests to return, the entire facility will be cleaned and sanitized prior to re-opening, Chief Operating Officer Therrin Protzesaid in a statement. This will include Kennedy Space Center tour buses, all attractions, eateries and theaters at the main campus and at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Chick-fil-A closes dining room seating at restaurants Update 6:09 a.m. EDT March 16:Chick-fil-A announced Sunday night that its is closing dining room seating in its restaurants. As we navigate the evolving impact of coronavirus on our communities, we are temporarily closing our dining room seating to help limit person-to-person contact,the company, which is based inAtlanta, said in a statement. Officials said some locations may only offer service through the drive-thru windows while others may be able to offer takeout, delivery or mobile order options. Its unclear which stores will allow which options. We know these are challenging times, but well continue to do our best to serve you,the company said. More than 164,000 cases, 6,400 deaths reported worldwide Update 5:34 a.m. EDT March 16:More than 164,000 coronavirus cases and 6,400 deaths have been reported worldwide,the World Health Organization reported Monday. Among individual countries,China topped the list with more than 81,000 cases, followed byItaly with over 24,700 cases. Disney temporarily closing North American stores, hotels Update 4:14 a.m. EDT March 16:Disney announced early Monday that it is temporarily closing allNorth American Disney stores starting Tuesday. In an overnight tweet, the company added that it is closing all of its owned and operated locations at Downtown Disney inAnaheim, California, and Disney Springs inOrlando, Florida, beginning Tuesday. Individual tenants will make decisions on whether to continue or adjust operations,the tweet read. Disney also will close its owned and operated hotels at its Walt Disney World Resort and Vero Beach Resort inFlorida starting at 5 p.m. Friday. We will continue to monitor the situation and maintain regular contact with the appropriate officials and health experts,the company said. Peace Corps suspends volunteer activities, announces evacuations Update 12:36 a.m. EDT March 16:The Peace Corps announced late Sunday that it has decided to temporarily suspend all ... operations globally and evacuate all of our volunteers,according to a statement. As you know, we recently evacuated volunteers fromChina andMongolia due to the COVID-19 outbreak and related travel constraints and school closings, Peace Corps Director Jody Olsensaid in a letter posted on the organizations website. Further evacuations are now under way at several posts. Unfortunately, it has become clear in the last 48 hours that numerous posts must follow suit. The Peace Corps headquarters will remain open, the statement said.

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Local beaches were packed as COVID-19 scare sends folks outside - News965

WATCH LIVE COVERAGE:

Palm Beach County's first free drive-through testing service for coronavirus opened on Monday morning.

FoundCare, Inc., a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center, has set up an outpatient drive-through testing station in the parking lot of its location at 2330 S. Congress Avenue in West Palm Beach.

SPECIAL COVERAGE: Coronavirus

The site, which opened at 10 a.m. Monday, is offering free COVID-19 tests for Palm Beach County residents.

The service will be offered on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and hours may be adjusted based on needs and supplies. Testing will be conducted by trained FoundCare staff members.

Prior to being tested, patients need to call 561-967-0365.

During the call, each patient will be asked basic screening questions about their symptoms and other criteria for the test. The phone line will be manned for screening and appointments weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Patients will be asked if they meet any of the following testing criteria:

"Patients typically present with fever, cough, and possibly shortness of breath," said Dr. Oneka Marriott, Chief Medical Officer for FoundCare. "Most cases have presented with mild symptoms. Patients with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, immunocompromised states, or those greater than 65 years of age with fever or symptoms of cough or shortness of breath may experience more severe and life-threatening outcomes of COVID-19 infection."

At the testing site, patients must have their patient code and an appointment in order to be tested. No one will be tested without an appointment.

While the patient remains in their car, they'll need to provide proper identification and contact information, including a valid phone number. FoundCare staff will safely store the patients information, collect the specimen using a test kit, and send the specimen to a qualified lab.

According to Dr. Marriott, samples will be sent to either a commercial lab like Quest or LabCorp, or the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Public Health Laboratories.

The patient will be instructed to self-quarantine at home while waiting for the test results, which can take 48 to 72 hours. FoundCare staff will contact the patient with the results as soon as they are available.

While FoundCare is performing the test for free, the laboratories may generate a separate bill for patients for that service.

In Martin County, a drive-through coronavirus test site opened on Saturday at Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital, located at 200 SE Hospital Avenue.

For more information about the drive-through testing, click here.

Originally posted here:

Drive-through coronavirus testing starts Monday in West Palm Beach - WPTV.com

Busy beaches amid COVID-19 concerns

Jordan Bowen rpeorts

TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. - With schools closed, events canceled, and games postponed, manyBay Area beaches are keeping busy despite coronavirus concerns.

Sun and fun were on the minds of Bay Area beach-goers on Saturday in the wake of event cancellations. Dozens of big events scheduled for this weekend were called off amid growing concern over the spread of coronavirus in mass gathering settings.

"I'm a big sports fan. I'm not happy about it. I understand the problems that are happening," beach-goer Jayson Armstrong said.

The world of professionals sports is currently in the midst of a major time out with all leagues postponing their seasons. More than 2.7 million students in Florida's public schools are also feeling the effects after being forced to take a 2-week recess.

"I was supposed to go to Reggae Rise-up and I don't know, I was bummed," beach-goer Erica Pougnet said.

Pougnet is among many taking to the surf and sand in the wake of mass cancellations. This means a boost in business for this beach concession stands on Treasure Island.

"There are people everywhere. The parking lot has been full since 9:30 this morning so it doesn't seem like people are doing too much to avoid being out in public," concession attendant Holly Leonard said.

Beach-goers are hoping the cancellations help the crisis stabilize at a faster pace so other big events planned in the months ahead aren't affected.

"I hope this is over and done with as soon as possible because everyone is just panicky and in panic mode and it's just kinda crazy," Pougnet said.

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Event cancellations in the Bay Area lead many to busy beaches - FOX 13 Tampa Bay