Pleasanton residents turn out en masse for downtown reopening

Uh, I don’t know what this is called, but I’m pretty sure most, if not all, of the photos in the article don’t depict social distancing. At all.

I agree that is not 6 feet apart or “” social distancing “” a bit to close for corona comfort. Not good AT ALL

Does not look particularly safe or smart considering covid-19 is a highly infectious potentially fatal disease. Does mass need for a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres really outweigh the need for containment of a world class pandemic ? Masks are minimally effective when they are down because people are eating and drinking and spewing laughter broadly. Social distancing in crowds too becomes subordinate to the irrepressible need to "hang out." This is behavior driven more so by desire and economics versus heed to the worst pandemic we have faced in a lifetime.

How is it that on top of opening up during cases skyrocketing in the Bay Area, knowing more numbers will peak due to protest and memorial weekend , that people don't use common sense!!! I see no mask, doesn't look like six feet to me, the crowd does not look like spring chickens and really???? Have people become so selfish to having to go out rather than practicing safety precautions so that we don't land up at square one?? Didn't the Governor say that not having a mask on can be finable by Cal OSHA??? Just saying.....

Naei wrote “ Does not look particularly safe or smart considering covid-19 is a highly infectious potentially fatal disease.“

The common flu is a highly infectious potentially fatal disease but we don’t stop daily life because of it.
History will look back on our response to COVID-19 as a ridiculous overreaction.
Total number of Pleasantonians killed thus far by COVID-19: ZERO.

We dined outdoors last night and were delighted to do so. We wore masks until we finished viewing the menu. The masked staff scrupulously cleaned tables. All good except for the 50% or so of the public not wearing masks and the majority not social distancing. If people insist on walking maskless, especially when close to people eating, this experiment doesn’t work. How sad.

Let’s see what happens. I’m supporting my local businesses by ordering take out, having my purchases delivered, etc. Covid-19 is not “the flu”. Everyone gets to decide if this is a risk they are willing to take. Be safe! Be kind!

I know it’s harder to transmit outdoors, but I wish the tables were further apart. In the pictures this looks like quite a crowd!
Our numbers have been low, I hope we are smart enough to keep it that way. We are all so burnt out on SIP it is making us neglect safety. I’m guilty of that too. Let’s enjoy our new freedoms but not get cocky! Staying home does save lives. There has to be a balance.

Looks fun. Wish I knew earlier. Definitely would have gone. I like being able to make decisions for myself again.

I wish more people had been wearing masks. (Strollers, not diners) We were very uncomfortable. We left.

Shame on our mayor and city council for closing Main Street to allow for this event in which there was no social distancing, masks or social distancing seating at the restaurants. There were no police or others enforcing the use of masks. Watch for a spike in CV-19 cases in Pleasanton two weeks from now. Our local government leaders just failed the citizens of Pleasanton.

The photograph depicts a Covid breeding ground - I’ll continue to support businesses to the best of my ability but this is not safe. There is no liberty without health.

This Absolutely disgusts me... No one was asked if it is ok to block off everything so these people could wine and dine. It's very difficult for me to understand the reasoning behind the city agreeing to this fiasco. Maybe they will when the increase in Covid19 starts. This proves everything about Pleasanton entitlement. Are the nurses and doctors entitled to take care of you when you get sick? You know what they say about Karma...and I think the Governor would be interested in these photos....

To Wombat, COVID-19 is a novel virus that has caused hundreds of thousands of death. Flu is a known virus with some variations every year. Yes, it also causes thousands of death every year - far less than COVID-19. There is vaccine for flu but none for COVID-19. These are simple facts. And we are learning more and more about COVID-19 every day.

My hope is that people and governments will learn from the experience with this novel disease, change for the better.

Agree with Kevin and the majority of other posters. Wombat = myopic self centered ignorant self righteousness.

This is completely irresponsible. People can’t be blaming anyone but themselves for the failure of the USA to control this virus. The world is watching our disregard for human health. After many countries were willing to suffer serios lockdowns to control the spread, the people of the USA continue to exhibit complete ignorance. Shame on us

@Kevin

Some more simple facts:
- The common flu causes hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.
(The World Health Organization estimates 290,000 to 650,000 deaths annually worldwide due to the flu).
- Even in the US, the flu causes more than just “thousands” of deaths each year. More like many tens of thousands.
- For those people who are young (less than 60) and in good health, coronavirus is usually pretty much of a “non-event” with people showing only minor symptoms or no symptoms at all. About 50% of such people are asymptomatic. Try comparing that with the flu: Virtually everyone knows when they have the flu and is hit hard by flu symptoms when they have it.
-Yes, we are learning more and more about coronavirus. What we have learned since the coronavirus threat was first announced is that it’s not nearly as deadly as it was first claimed to be. It was initially claimed to be about 20-times deadlier than the common flu with a mortality rate of 2%. Now multiple recent studies are in agreement that the mortality rate is closer to 0.35% or only about 3.5-times higher than the common flu.
- Complications due to coronavirus predominantly hit seniors and those with significant pre-existing health conditions (e.g., extreme obesity). Protection should be focused on these vulnerable groups.
- The cost of implementing a strict sheltering-in-place policy blanketing everyone rather than focusing on protecting vulnerable groups has been outrageously high both economically and in terms of human suffering. Over 2 trillion dollars in government aid thus far, many businesses being permanently shut down, and over 70 million people losing their jobs. There’s an enormous human cost associated with that including large numbers of suicides, increases in drug abuse and alcohol abuse, increases in domestic violence, etc.. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. You don’t throw 70 million people out of work without expecting a lot of human suffering to take place.

@John wrote “ Wombat, as of yesterday 69 Pleasanton residents have died from Covid19, plus 38 from Dublin, and 93 from Livermore.“

[removed for namecalling] The total number of coronavirus deaths in all of Alameda County (population 1.6 million) is only 118.

Google “Alameda deaths coronavirus”.

So many have decided to become self appointed virologists and pathologists. With no medical training they have decided to shame others for not wearing masks. An RNA virus is too small to be contained by a mask, handkerchief, scarf, etc. You can’t completely protect yourself unless you live in a sterile bubble. Stop judging from fear. If you’re predisposed, stay home; if you’re not, get back to living your life, unless you just want free money and more vacation days.

KitKat, you are completely correct on your observation. In terms of the Corona virus as to the effectiveness of these cloth masks, a coronavirus is 7 nano-meters in size. That translates into 0.3 microns or 0.3 millionth of an inch. On a scale of the corona virus that would be like throwing a pee through an open garage door. In addition, the masks are defined as "PPE" or personal protection equipment. Wearing a mask would by extension be used to protect the wearer of the mask, not necessarily to protect others. The risk of cross contamination is high without proper training, use and disposal. Free the Mask!

@John

The numbers you quote are confirmed covid19 cases, not deaths.

Isn't this ironic?

Web Link

I'll bet those who are "horrified" at the scene from downtown yesterday, and are upset with the mayor and city council for allowing this to take place were completely "silent" when they saw these crowds downtown.

There are always those who do not believe in individual responsibility, but want to "police" everyone else. If you feel more comfortable in your home "bubble," then I think you should stay there. If you feel you want to exercise your newly restored liberties, then go for it. Individuals have a choice.

Yes, the virus itself is too small to be properly contained by a cloth mask, but the point of the mask is to reduce fluid droplet transmission. The virus doesn't necessarily fly around by itself, it is carried in much larger droplets of liquid from your breath. The masks protect people around you from transmission more than it protects yourself, but if everyone is wearing a mask everyone is better off and protected at least somewhat from transmission.

Comparison to flu deaths per year is ludicrous. This virus is far more deadly than the flu. In 2019, there were, at most, 62,000 deaths from flu in the USA. Extrapolate the COVID-19 deaths so far to a full year, and you're looking at about 500,000 deaths in the US alone. Deciding that the illness doesn't kill people under 60 so much is deciding that old people are expendable. It is proven that even those who survive the virus very often have long term health effects. To dismiss this is irresponsible to your fellow Americans.

Finally, it is irresponsible of the Pleasanton Weekly that they did not say in this article that mask-wearing remains mandatory for Californians outside the home, particularly in places with concentrations of people, like downtown Pleasanton.

To compare the crowds in Downtown with those at the BLM demonstrations one will have to recognize that the vast majority of those at the march wore masks, and many kept social distance. Freedom doesn't just mean "hey I don't have to wear a mask", it comes with responsibility to your fellow citizens.

John, are you even looking at the same picture? I was merely pointing out crowd size and LACK of social distancing (they are not spaced apart). Also, if you examine closely, there are a few among the 2,000 without masks (and one guy who even pulled it down from his mouth).

Personal responsibility, is just that: personal.

Stay home if you are worried...Or if you go out, wear your mask like I do, and wash your hands frequently.

@John wrote "Deciding that the illness doesn't kill people under 60 so much is deciding that old people are expendable."

Huh? What is that sentence even supposed to mean? That coronavirus deaths are mostly concentrated among older people above the age of 60 is a simple fact.

@John wrote "It is proven that even those who survive the virus very often have long term health effects."

What is "proven"? That some people who survive coronavirus can have long term health effects? Yeah, just like people who recover from many other illnesses.

Ashamed to be a Pleasanton resident right now. This is foolish and I will be petitioning the Downtown Business Administration to put some serious revisions to this venture. Anyone else who wants to email info@pleasantondowntown.net, addressed to Rochelle Stone.

So sad to see. No social distancing and not enough masks. With liberties and rights comes responsibility and it appears that those responsibilities to "keep each other safe " was not as important as drinking your wine. This virus knows " no rights" and it appears that from a community of what one would think would be filled with educated people is filled with plain stupid people..

Best idea they have had in years!!!!! Wake up Pleasanton and use some common sense. SIP and mask wearing has been an unnecessary tool to make people live in fear of a virus, whether man-made or natural. If you don't want to go downtown, then don't go downtown, but do not criticize or condemn the masses of healthy people who want to support local businesses. Please stay home and live your life in a cave or with your head up a suitable orifice. Get out and breath some relatively fresh air and get some vitamin D on your skin from the beautiful sunshine. You really don't have to live in fear.

The COVID-19 infections in Pleasanton never leveled off, they never indicated a decrease with those infected recovering. The number of COVID-19 infections in Pleasanton today is 72.

Look at all the Pleasanton “Karen’s” complaining about everyone else.

Time to stop fear mongering and live life. If you’re sick, or afraid of getting sick stay home.

Life is very, very short!

It is careless and reckless to hastened the end of life to be sooner than later through COVID-19 exposure and ensuing illness COVID-19 causes.

Closing downtown main street in Pleasanton, so that Pleasanton residents can pack into downtown to patronize local restaurants, without social distancing and without wearing masks is careless and reckless.

Pleasanton city leadership is wrong with this decision.

Michael- so don’t go. No one is making you. Stay home. Enjoy.

Pleasanton City great job with downtown reopening. Please don’t let the vocal knucklehead minorities persuade you different. I personally know two people that work at the CDC and yes cases are going up as people are being tested but the most important benchmark is deaths which are going DOWN. So far all you get for Gavin wannabes stay home.

We need to learn to live with the virus! Live your life and enjoy every day!

Why is everyone guessing?

Wait two to three weeks and see if ValleyCare gets more crowded. If problems occur, then we’ll all know we’re in trouble. If not, then we have more data.

Photos can be misleading, and depending on the angle or zoom, can make things look closer together. I was downtown on Saturday night and every table in every restaurant was at least six feet apart. As per guidelines, servers wore masks the whole time and diners did not.

Yup those pictures tell the story... and in two weeks or less we will see if it helped or hurt our community. I intended to go downtown to see for myself if social distancing was taking place and to see if shoppers were wearing masks, but I see neither was. I HOPE THE RESTAURANTS AND THEIR OWNERS GET TESTED BEFORE NEXT WEEKEND it takes 2-3 days for results. IT SHOULD BE A REQUIREMENT BY THE CITY.

Had there really been an effort to follow CDC guidelines and Governor guidelines I would have been there next week, BUT because of what I see in the pictures guidelines were NOT being followed. So I will continue to live my best life within the guidelines by CDC while those that choose not to, fall by the way side along with their friends and family members. "I can control what I do but not what others do."

Latest research shows that the virus can connect to cells lining the blood vessels, which has led to blockages and strokes. The effects may not emerge for years, but significant increases in serious heart disease may emerge over time, even if not other symptoms occur. Additionally, there are now indications that the virus might be able to enter brain tissue. Finally, little is known about the effect on prenatal babies, and the third trimester infected mothers are now giving birth, with second and first to follow. Effects on children may not be known for years. It's not an issue of becoming infected and recovering (most of the time). It's the long term effects that are becoming the real concern. This is nothing like the seasonal flu.

Our family was in town. We parked close to the restaurant, wore masks to the restaurant and when others came to say hello, the tables were six feet apart, and the wait staff wore masks the entire time. We left wearing our masks. We will see if there is a problem.

Wow. A truly stunning show of force from “Karen” & her minions of oppression. Our entire family participated Friday night, nobody invaded our space, nobody made us feel “ threatened” or unsafe.

If you are afraid & fear for your life, stay home.
If you are afraid of guns, don’t buy a gun.
If you truly value ALL lives, don’t have an abortion.
If you value your own body & life, don’t take drugs.
And so on & so on...

See, there are some very simple solutions that we as individuals can do that do not require a soapbox, bullhorn & mass of protest signs to truly make an impact on our society. It’s not about YOU. Why everyone seems to think that by drawing attention to themselves they are making a difference simply stuns & amazes me.

G, I was stating my family’s experience based on comments of others. Won’t know if it was a problem, but we went where we felt we could be safe.

Looking at the pictures here, I'm not quite sure that there is a problem. People do appear to be socially distancing. Also, people sitting at tables and eating aren't required to masks, but wait staff, and people walking are supposed to wear them. I wasn't there, so I can only judge by the pictures.

To the people saying that we'll know it two weeks, that doesn't match with what I've read; I believe it can take more than a month from a significant spreading event before it shows up significantly in the numbers.

Per today's press conference, 36% of CA cases have been reported in the last two weeks -above 4,000 cases 3 of the last 4 days. Having read the comments, a question or two which will explain where you sit on the Darwin scale of "Pasta versus People"...
The UK, which has also struggled with the virus, has a death rate of 14% (per Johns Hopkins) which equals 42,647 deaths. They have better "accounting" of deaths due to the NHS.
The US, with on-going questions raised about accurate "accounting" (i.e. see Florida, NJ, NY, Ohio to name a few), is at 5.2%. So, let's assume we are understated and let's use the UK % and extrapolate the US numbers, and we have 327,960 deaths...and it's only June. Cases are rapidly growing in Florida, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Utah, South Carolina, Georgia.
I think it's also safe to say that there is a lot we don't know about the virus, both short-term and longer-term impacts.
So, my questions:
Once we get past the 'libertards', 'Karen's', my rights insults and arguments, what is your Darwin number of acceptable deaths? One million? Two million? Five million? -particularly if it now reaches into your family and friends?
And when we hit your number, is that the point where you start to take it seriously? (with the idea that the fox is already in the hen house and it will be incredibly difficult to slow/stop until there is a vaccine.) It's a bit like climate change. There is no point in finally becoming a believer when it's too late.

My family went downtown to check it out and to also celebrate Fathers Day for my husband. What we observed was every restaurant was doing social distancing. They also had hand sanitizer out, disposable menus too. The opening of many restaurants was helped by closing Main Street down so they could put tables into the street for patrons. Otherwise they would not have been able to manage it. All servers and staff had masks on.

What I did find disturbing were the people, adults mainly, just walking around, and a good 50% who did NOT have masks on. Some had masks in their pockets, but were not using them. I purposely moved far away from them, which having the street open allowed me to do.

It was a great feeling to be out and conversing with our server, seeing other people, and supporting our downtown. It’s the best I’ve felt since mid-March even if I was wearing an uncomfortable mask...

The number of COVID-19 infections in Pleasanton today is at 80. That is up 8 from twenty-four hours ago. That is up 40 from three weeks ago.

Judging from the picture , that restaurant which appears to be Alberto's is not doing social distancing nor facemasks. The Governor wants those restaurants not observing the social distancing and facemasks to be reported. Has the Pleasanton Weekly reported this obvious disrespect for the currents rules to the State of California?

Friday night Me and my guest had Dinner at Chianti Encore.
It was wonderful seeming Angelo and his staff, they were so gracious and accommodating. My guest is Vegetarian, her normal favorite choice was not on the menu.
Angelo said, no problem, I know what you like, we will prepare it for you.
Such a great attitude after going through the long shut down.
Chianti Encore will get our support.

Henry,
And there is another "breaking report" stating the virus is weakening....pick your science.

Michael,
What's the death rate? going up or down? there is no guarantee against infection, that is something both the libtards and the trumpateers can find common ground on. Again, if you don't want to go out and risk it - don't. No one is making you. You have a choice, please allow others to express their right to choice without condemning them for not making the same decision you chose to exercise for yourself.

I am not preventing "others from to express their right to choice".

I am not "condemning them".

I am stating the number of COVID-19 infections in Pleasanton.

I am simply raising caution towards careless and reckless behavior.

I support the right of everyone to behave in a manner that may cause harm to themselves. I simply am posting that behavior may have consequences.

I am struck by what appear to be major overreactions and hasty judgments by those who have complained here about the downtown reopening. You reserve words such as "shameful," "disgraceful," and "disgusting" for a scene that you obviously did not experience for yourselves.

Not to get all techno-geeky on you, but most of those photos were taken with a zoom lens and that type of magnification is designed to remove the visible distance between objects. Those photos provide a false impression that social distancing was not being observed. To the person who is threatening to rat us out to Gov. Newsom, you'll need to do better than misleading photos.

Every restaurant abided by the guidelines. There was ample space for everyone to feel safe. Those who did not feel safe should not have been there in the first place. If you want to scrutinize, here are two things worthy:

1. There appeared to be many people dining together who have not been sheltering together, like the photo of the five guys enjoying a beer. That might not be too wise, but that is their decision, it is on them, and it will not harm others.

2. We noticed that when people were walking on the sidewalk (where there was higher density), they had their face masks on. When people were in the street (much lower density), they tended to be unmasked. This might be technically a violation, and if you want to complain about that, so be it. It appeared to my wife and to me to be a reasonable decision that did not put others in danger. Full disclosure: we did that too when we walked home.

Michael,
I'll take your lack of response on death rate as an acceptance of it going down, not staying flat, nor going up. Or are facts only acceptable when they sustain your personal decisions?

You are condemning them, your bias in your response is clear - you don't approve and you judge those for partaking. Own your position.

Today ACPHD is reporting 82 confirmed COVID-19 infections in Pleasanton.
That is up two from twenty-four hours ago. Up 12 from forty-eight hours ago.

Ummm, Michael Austin, just a friendly reminder.

ZERO DEATHS in Pleasanton and all patients in either self quarantine or non-critical care.

Thanks for playing.

We ate downtown twice this past weekend and loved every minute of it. The tables are farther apart than the photo shows. All servers wore masks, paper/disposable menus, tables sanitized.....the restaurants did a great job. It was wonderful to be out and about, seeing friends and being smart at the same time.

As the pandemic took hold in the United States, 48,000 cases COVID-19 were recorded in just a little over two months.

Today alone in the United Sates more than 48,000 cases of COVID-19 were recorded in one day.