Avalon officials are encouraging the public to wear masks. The council discussed the issue earlier this week. The discussion turned out the be timely.
Effective Thursday, June 18, the state government of California is mandating that everyone wear a face covering in “public spaces,” according to the governor’s office. The news was announced on social media early Thursday afternoon. The California Department of Public Health issued an update on the same day.
In related news, the Catalina Island Medical Center website on Monday, June 15, reported a third cumulative COVID-19 case.
Los Angeles County has not reported any of the Avalon cases. As previously reported, the other two patients recovered weeks ago.
The two previous patients were apparently exposed to the disease off the Island.
No information about the third case was available at editorial deadline.
Catalina Island essentially reopened last weekend. However, readers should remember that there is an incubation period for the diesease (currently estimated at up to two weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and that there is a time lag between testing and the reporting of the testing results.
Masks
As to the mask matter, Avalon Mayor Anni Marshall held up a laminated version of a sign that says “Caring is wearing” at the beginning of the Tuesday, June 16, City Council meeting.
In a telephone interview, Marshall said the city is having more signs put up to promote the wearying of face covers. Marshall said people were doing a good job of social distancing.
The signs include a QR bar code that allows people to scan with their cell phones.
This will allow people with phones to link to the Avalon Municipal Code.
The mask issue came up more than once during the council meeting, as officials discussed the challenges of getting members of the public to wear face coverings.
The problem isn’t unique to Avalon. Orange County, for example, no longer requires the public to wear masks. The city of Seal Beach continues to require them. Compliance was mixed even before Orange County replaced the requirement with a “recommendation.”
During the Avalon Department Head report segment of the council meeting, Fourth of July fireworks show, Capt. John Hocking, commander of the Avalon Sheriff’s Station, reported that deputies have been getting mixed reviews from the public about the mask requirement.
According to Hocking, some individuals apologize and put on masks, some yell racial epithets and deputies and some people just refuse to put on the masks and walk away.
During a discussion of whether to reinstate the cancelled Fourth of July fireworks show, Capt. John Hocking, commander of the Avalon Sheriff’s Station, said he couldn’t even get people to wear masks.
Harbor Master JJ Poindexter warned the council that it would not be possible to control crowds during a fireworks show.
According to Poindexter, people on the mainland don’t see COVID-19 as an issue.
