People were back in some San Diego parks on Tuesday, after Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced a partial reopening on Monday.
It’s been weeks now since San Diegans got to enjoy the pleasure of a simple stroll in a city park. Plenty of San Diegans out and about on Tuesday doing just that.
Check out the full list of reopened parks here.
But even surrounded by the beauty of a park, it was hard to forget that we're in the midst of a pandemic. Everywhere there signs reminding people that access is limited and the all-too-familiar social distancing rules must be followed.
For the most part, people following those rules, keeping their distance from others and staying out of areas marked “off-limits” by yellow tape.
RELATED: San Diego To Reopen Neighborhood Parks For Limited Use
Roberta Grace, who was eating lunch in Kensington Park, said she was practicing social distancing, she had her mask, and she was full of gratitude.
“Everything’s gonna be okay and be glad that we have this great pause and this time to re-connect with our true inner nature,” she said with a smile.
The county news conference Tuesday began with some depressing news, conveyed by Supervisor Nathan Fletcher.
“Today, we are unfortunately reporting the single highest number of deaths since the start of the COVID crisis, 15 new deaths today," he said.
Against that sad fact, Fletcher reminded the community to remain vigilant and warned that if we don’t, infections will explode in San Diego County.
Earlier Tuesday, the County Board of Supervisors voted down a proposal from Supervisor Kristin Gaspar, supported by Supervisor Jim Desmond, to re-open businesses on May 1. Fletcher said at the briefing that that is not the way to go.
"It will be a public health, public safety based decision, not a political decision and not an emotional decision," he said. "It will be one based on the data and what best serves our region.”
Mayor Faulconer said he will again close parks if people start gathering in groups, violating public health orders.
