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Wednesday, May 06, 2020

Want to help Ocean City? Don’t go there this weekend | COMMENTARY

Last week, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan made a wise judgment and extended the beach closure that was set to expire on April 30 to May 15. At the time, he explained he wanted to follow Gov. Larry Hogan’s “Roadmap to Recovery” plan for a return to full economic activity and recognized that the town should wait for a lifting of the stay-at-home order before it welcomes tourists. On Monday and with the support of the City Council, he reversed course moving to reopen beaches this Saturday and even going so far as to outright invite out-of-towners to visit for the day or perhaps the next, which is Mother’s Day, providing they keep proper social distances. Hotels are restricted to “essential” personnel only so, at least in theory, visitors won’t be staying. Not since last year’s OC Air Show, has the populace witnessed such public and, frankly, death-defying acrobatics.

This is a mistake. Not because Ocean City should not be looking to reopen gradually but because it’s simply premature. Just look at Maryland’s coronavirus numbers. While COVID-19-related deaths have gone down slightly, other measures such as hospitalizations have only recently plateaued. The state is surely inching toward the first phase of the governor’s three-phase plan, but it is not yet there. Worcester County may have only 80 diagnosed cases to date, but reopening beaches means the town will be potentially drawing from hundreds of miles away including all of Maryland, which has recorded nearly 1,300 deaths including 74 in the last 24 hours alone, as of this writing. Just last month, town officials were worried that out-of-state condo owners should not risk visiting their properties because the lower Eastern Shore’s limited health facilities could easily be swamped. Is that not still true?

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29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I’m going

Anonymous said...

Enough already Give it up. Allowing people on the beach and on the boardwalk is NOT going to increase the infection rate and anyone with a brain that actually works will bet on it.

TheRealRay said...

See you in our Emergency Department soon...

Anonymous said...

If not NOW....WHEN? The flues still here, killing thousands each year? We don't close "The Island" for flu season. Is it next week? Next month? And who's to say "the numbers" won't rise then? Whatvis the "magic" date?Yes, be careful, but how careful? It doesn't matter WHEN, because we all know how the rest of the story goes....Fingers will be pointed at whoever is the unlucky soul that gets to make the call! Ultimately the left and its lapdog media will ALL point to president Trump! Mark my words.....Ok, I'm done, crawl back into your "SAFE SPACES"

The Real Ray said...

I was able to make a "reservation" online for the Holiday Inn in West Ocean City. Trying to see if it would let me and it would have if I clicked 'pay'. Interesting.

Anonymous said...

Where's the beef?

Well we all have a much bigger problem.

The nation MUST open up now. Wendy's announced a beef shortage and they have run OUT!

Let that sink in.

And it's all because of fake covid numbers put out by agenda driven assholes.

The REAL problems are just starting.

Anonymous said...

When Bal'more opines and says OC's choice is awful - aside from snickering its a should had a V8 moment!

This speaks volumes the lack of mindset in City FAIL. Makes me laugh all the times I've had discussions at breakfast gatherings when talk surrounded "Friends of City Hall" driving the train.

Yeah we know the influencer's and donor's out there.

Rickie needs gallons of V8's!

Anonymous said...

Perfect example of Adolf Hogan allowing the "elite" to disobey or alter his dictatorship rules for themselves.

Anonymous said...

Everyone testing positive this week acquired the virus during the lockdown.

Anonymous said...

There are lots of owners on VRBO that will rent to you. The council doesn't care about those owners as they're too hard to track. My neighbor uses them and doesn't even bother with getting a license.

Anonymous said...

"TheRealRay said...
See you in our Emergency Department soon...

May 6, 2020 at 9:44 AM"


Not likely at all but keep an eye out because the average time from the show of symptoms to hospitalization is 7 days. So that would be the time frame to pay attention to the numbers

Anonymous said...

So the gist is our medical resources will be overwhelmed because these people will come visit for a few hours, then madly dash to our hospitals. Makes perfect sense.. to a liberal newspaper opinion piece!

Anonymous said...

"last month, town officials were worried that out-of-state condo owners should not risk visiting their properties because the lower Eastern Shore’s limited health facilities could easily be swamped. Is that not still true?"



Nope its not true anymore. This is a novel virus. That means not much was known about it. It also means new things are being learned about it everyday so what was true yesterday isn't always true today much less what was true a month ago.. What we did learn was the hospitalization rate was much lower then predicted. I can't read the whole thing without a subscription but this is why many have no business offering up any opinions about this virus unless it is fact and science based especially those in the media.

Anonymous said...

The Governor’s stay at home order is still in place. This is a tiny step towards an eventual full reopening. Contrary to public opinion, the overall risk is not that great. No one is mandating that you go, but if you do, your chances of survival are excellent.

Anonymous said...

10:21 are you talking here locally on delmarva? Remember most tested here recently had something to do with the chicken processing plants where it's been spreading for awhile. Then they go home and pass it along. Unless you have close daily contact with these people there is very little to worry about. Doesn't mean you should let your guard completely down and it's wise to take precautions but the risk to most is low and pretty much non existent going to the beach or the boardwalk.

Anonymous said...

The baltmore sun is a communist propaganda entity...that should be all you need to know right there.

Anonymous said...

That lockdown really worked, right? Everyone will or has been exposed sooner or later, sooner the better. What a sham to destroy the best economy we ever had in modern time.

Anonymous said...

Psst 933 - people locked down for 2 months come walk do the beach. Then what are they gonna do? Immediately leave since most establishments are closed? No. Therein lies the challenge.

Also, who is going to make sure everyone sits/walks 6 feet apart. LEOs? HAHAHAHA. There are no beach patrol folks yet.

Most will try to stay 6 feet away - others will do like they always do.

Walk/stop in the middle the boardwalk. Walk on both side of the boards. Everyone parks in the parking lot together...pay the kiosks...

Signs won't help either.

This needed to be planned better for ALL.

Anonymous said...

That Holiday Inn is NOT in Ocean City therefore it is not restricted in renting out rooms.

Anonymous said...

All of the West Ocean City hotels are taking reservations. At least the ones that have not closed due to lack of business. West Ocean City is not Ocean City. Duh.

Anonymous said...

The media is pushing China communist propaganda. I can’t believe all of you that agree with this. This lockdown goes against everything America stands for.

Anonymous said...

9:53a...the $600 increase to unemployment is the reason for the meat packing plants being understaffed...not the virus.

Anonymous said...

Psst 11:38 None of that is your business nor is it mine or is it the business of any official. If people don't adhere to keeping distance that is their business alone so don't you or anyone else concern yourself with it This is one of you people's major difficulties. What others do is not your concern and you'd do best in life to never forget it. You worry about yourself and your family and not anyone else's. Again learn to mind your business and let other tend to theirs. Your own life will improve if you do too.

Anonymous said...

Y'all go ahead. I'll be along directly! πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. Wanna make sure you get there first.

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...
9:53a...the $600 increase to unemployment is the reason for the meat packing plants being understaffed...not the virus.

May 6, 2020 at 12:21 PM"


I doubt if what you are claiming is true. I know for a fact those here in the chicken plants most are not eligible for a thing and didn't receive a cent from the government. They are immigrants not citizens who mostly work in those places. The exception is I did hear of some who received a few hundred (one time payment) for children born in the US. Most I know (and I know many) wanted to get back to work badly but had to stay out 2 weeks due to close contact with someone who tested positive. Even the ones who were sick with it wanted to go back to work right after they felt better but couldn't until cleared by the state.

Anonymous said...

Do locals even go there anymore ?

Anonymous said...

Exactly. Yes these deseases are different but the end mortality rate is similar. We dont shut down the country for the flu. So why the heck are we doing this??? Come on people think.

Anonymous said...

More fear-mongering. People are actually hurting themselves MORE but distancing and staying home. You are weakening your immune system. When ppl do finally get released from their home confinement they will most def be a spike in infections and death. They call it a second wave, but it's not. It's a continuation of the first.

You don't think the big-wigs know this? They not only know, but they are also counting on it. Most have lost the ability to reason for themselves and it shows.

Anonymous said...

12:39- yet another fine example of the local schools. Geesh.