New Stanislaus coronavirus rules favor those who can pay to play
She is average.
Which, in Stanislaus County, means she makes about $25,000 a year. Before the coronavirus pandemic, she had a steady service-industry job. The pay wasn’t great, but it was something.
Since the governor and our county public health officer issued stay-at-home orders, however, her pay has been zero while her anxiety is off the charts.
Her bills are stacking up. She wants to work, but it’s not allowed. She’s not sick with COVID-19, but she is sick with worry about making ends meet, about keeping her children busy with good things, and about her aging parents’ health.
The kids are doing some online learning, but that only takes up part of the day. They go on walks and sometimes drive around, but they need more. They’re bored, their nerves are on edge and they feel isolated, alone, and sometimes forgotten.
She was excited when she heard that the county health officer sees fit to relax some restrictions on outdoor activities. It won’t help with the bills, but it might help restore some much-needed sanity at home.
So she viewed the county’s weekly online forum where leaders talked at length about modifications to the local stay-at-home order. She learned that these adjustments are OK under the governor’s order for California. She also read the county’s 23-page written notice, explaining the new rules in detail.
Now she questions who it is these leaders represent. Not regular folks, that’s for sure.
Modesto or Woodward Reservoir? Only if you can afford a boat
The new rules eventually will reopen Woodward and Modesto reservoirs — but only to people with watercraft. Her family loves the lakes. But they don’t own a boat.
The new rules will reopen golf courses. That seems reasonable, if people keep their distances. But she’s never had the money for all the fancy golf equipment — clubs, bags, shoes — plus greens fees and golf cart rentals.
The new rules will reopen archery and gun ranges. Sounds fun, if you can afford it. She can’t.
It sounds like people with money and the right connections have influence with decision-makers in our county.
If country club members can play golf, tennis, pickleball, basketball and volleyball as long as they’re playing only with members of their household, why can’t her family be together at the lake? Camping and even picnicking — the things that average families like hers are more likely to do — are specifically prohibited, while waterskiing gets special treatment. How is that fair?
The new rules say kids can enjoy playgrounds again, if they don’t mix with other families. Do Stanislaus leaders remember what it’s like to have small children? She would find it much easier to keep them contained on the shore at Woodward than fighting to keep them safely separated at the playground. Even if it’s now allowed, the anxiety of knowing they might touch some infected rail or bar might not be worth it.
Horseback riding is OK under new Stanislaus coronavirus order
“Equestrian activities” are perfectly fine under the new rules. Who can afford a horse? She can’t.
Leaders surely had someone in mind when they drew up these new rules. It certainly wasn’t her.
She’s glad that the new rules clarify that drive-in worship is allowed. Her family will continue to pray for safety and health — for themselves, their neighbors and everyone around them. Including the rich and powerful.
They will also pray that when our leaders reconsider new updates to the rules, they’ll remember that there are lots of people who don’t have boats, jet skis, kayaks, golf clubs, horses, guns or compound bows and arrows. She hopes they recognize that she needs release and recreation, too.
She will pray that they see all of us as part of them.
This story was originally published April 26, 2020 at 5:00 AM.