Sign of a cautious deconfinement, New Yorkers were able to rediscover the beach this Sunday, welcoming a mixed weather that allowed them to avoid the crowds while enjoying a breath of fresh air “great for mental health”.
For this extended Memorial Day weekend, which marks the opening of the US summer season, the beaches have reopened in New York and New Jersey, neighboring states that have been most affected by the epidemic: between them , they identified 40% of the nearly 100,000 deaths in the United States.
We need to feel … Human, instead of being stuck at home
“It’s just great to hear the sound of the waves. It’s a great form of meditation, to be able to look at the ocean, to go in the water”, said Brittany Neiss, 25, walking barefoot with her friend on Jones Beach on Long Island.
The authorities have made “The good choice” by reopening this beach and many others, she said. “We need to feel… human, instead of being stuck at home”.
Less than an hour east of New York City, this 10-km-long beach has reopened for swimming with a 50% reduced capacity, and ubiquitous barriers and warnings to enforce social distancing.
Fear of a return of the epidemic
Far from complaining about these measures, many visitors welcomed them, fearing a comeback of the epidemic. Like Gloria Warren, 60, who came with her sister, a friend and a tape measure to measure the distances between their folding chairs.
“It’s the only way, otherwise we will have another pandemic”, says this woman employed in the administration of a hospital on Long Island.
“As long as people keep their distance, I’m comfortable”, also underlines Janina Laucella, 38, came with her two little boys busy playing in the sand.
“It gives the opportunity to exercise and give a sense of normalcy to the children. And so do I. We don’t talk enough about mental health.”, she says.
Controversial deconfinement
Even the joy of going out into the great outdoors at Coney Island, Brooklyn’s famous beach, accessible by subway. Mayor Bill de Blasio maintains the swimming ban there for now, and Luna Park amusement park remains closed, but people were happy to stroll along the large promenade bordering the beach.
Lisa and Michael Sklar came from a suburb in upstate New York with their 22-year-old daughter.
“I feel safe seeing that most people wear masks, that there aren’t too many people, and that people respect distances”says Lisa, who is a stylist. “We’ve been stuck at home for 70 days, it’s really good to be able to go out and see the ocean […]. It’s great for our sanity to be here“.
Beaches, high risk places
Nonetheless, she was happy to see many police officers keeping a distance – and no crowds, thanks to the clouds and the temperature below 20 degrees.
At a time of controversial deconfinement, beaches are one of the high-risk places, as recently shown by images of crowds on beaches in California or Florida.
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“I am very worried when people go out and do not keep the distance”, said again this Sunday Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House crisis unit. “We know the sun helps kill the virus, but that doesn’t stop people from being responsible.”
Donald Trump, however, continues to call for speeding up deconfinement, deeming some governors – mainly Democrats – too slow to authorize reopening.
The extra round of golf?
Critics said they were shocked to see a photo of the president playing golf on Twitter on Saturday at his club near Washington, as the country neared 100,000 dead.
He who largely plays his re-election in November on the revival of the economy has also called on all places of worship to reopen this weekend, even as gatherings of more than 10 people remain prohibited in many states.
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