covid cray cray

Here we go again

We’re getting lazy. Letting our guard down. Falling into peer pressure. Pulling some risky moves in the name of trying to keep our social life on life support. And as expected, we’re seeing COVID cases spiking again, breaking records for the highest daily total new cases in SLO County since the pandemic began. Read that again. With the holidays and winter coming and health experts cringing and bracing for r-o-u-g-h days ahead, it’s no time to be lax about this shit. #maskup #gimmemy6feet #stickwithyourpod

Performing artists back to work?

The all-powerful Dr. Penny B. and her team finally issued guidelines for the performing arts after the newly-formed Central Coast Coalition of Arts Leaders got organized. The new guidelines don’t mean that you can go to a play or concert any time soon, but it does mean some activities can happen (with mods, natch), like indoor recording sessions, drive-in concerts, and movie-theater screenings of live performances. It would be cool if the arts were, like, considered part of the economy without having to shout about it, but good job, SLO. Still no live music though. Anywhere.

Arts groups say WTF

As the County COVID sitch continues to hang in the red tier (for now), local performing arts leaders are shining a spotlight on a big oversight in the state reopening regs. Gov. Gav has issued detailed guidelines for all industries – from card rooms to theme parks, except puzzlingly, stage productions like concerts, plays and musicals. Tired of sitting back with their livelihoods on perma intermission, a newly-formed coalition is advocating to get back to work, safely. They’ve got a point. After all, arts are good for our souls but they also mean cash money for the economy, too.

Into the great wide open

COVID has really taught us a thing or two about the joys of living al fresco & some seaside improvements are just what Mama Nature ordered. If you’re a suns-out-buns-out type, rejoice, because a cleaner Pirate’s Cove could be in your future. County Parks & Rec is planning a bare bones reno (I see you bathrooms and flat parking lot!) in 2021. If you’re a run-of-the-mill tree-hugger, SB County is studying connecting various trails between Guadalupe and Gaviota. Help out by exploring the area yourself!

The world is a scary place

As if the pandemic wasn’t scary enough, now the holidays are creeping up and we’re feeling prrrrretty unsure how all this celebrating’s gonna go down. First up…Halloween. Our trusty friends at the SLO County Health Dept offer this guidance for safe Halloween activities. And the state offered these directions for private gatherings with people from different households. If you don’t wanna yeet candy at the neighborhood kids, a safe (but still spooky) bet is a lil road trip to Cambria to see the Scarecrows.

Small biz matters

ICYMI, everything’s gone kablooey over COVID-19. Who faces the hardest challenges during these rough times? Small businesses. If you are one of the lucky few that have stable income, buy a gift card online to a locally owned joint – it’s cash money for the biz owner and may just help them get through this whirlwind we’re living in.
Since being ordered to shelter-at-home til FOREVER, some restaurants have already let employees go, while others are still open for take-out and delivery. Pick-up/Delivery parking zones are now free in DT-SLO and EdibleSLO is maintaining a regularly-updated & growing list of eateries here. FB groups are keeping us tuned in to the latest updates on who’s open and GoFundMe’s are being established to help employees at some of your fave places. While the GOV is gonna do something, hourly workers need all the help they can get! And please, PLEASE support our medical personnel who are putting their health at risk to get through this – we’re all in this together.

…but keep yo hands to yoself!

Beyond supporting local biz, there are other ways to help SLO County survive this crisis. Selfless Samaritans recently started HelpSLO with constant updates on FB of how to help your neighbors. At a time when peeps are hoarding TP, this shiz is seriously inspiring. The Food Bank is looking for CASH donations and healthy, able-bodied folx to lend a hand. Wilshire Hospice always has a program to help seniors, but they could def use more support. And some local baddies are even collaborating on getting childcare for those who need it – now that’s community!