Feeling Like the Old Days
This week’s paper is a wonderful reminder of what CV Weekly was for so many years – a paper full of important news and interesting stories. From sports to youth to religion to hard news, CV Weekly took pride in presenting the many facets of our community and, by doing so, helped to build our community.
Then in walked COVID-19. Many of the activities we reported on – sports, youth, social – were canceled due to the pandemic. Immediately our advertising revenue took a dive in response to so many businesses shutting down (you don’t advertise a business that isn’t open) and, to be honest, I was scared that CV Weekly would be shutting down, too. Thankfully between the generosity of key advertisers bumping up their presence in the newspaper and readers who dropped off checks “to keep the lights on,” the paper was able to keep open our doors (and the lights on!).
After so many months we, like our readers, are seeing signs that are reminiscent of spring – like the blossoming of flowers is the reawakening of those businesses that we were unsure would reopen. Restaurants, retailers and other services are cautiously opening their doors, ready to welcome customers. Of course, there is confusion as to how many customers constitute the percentage that is allowed in a business.
Hey, I never said the system was perfect.
Questions abound as to when and where masks have to be worn; according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health website, “Everyone is asked to wear a face covering when they are interacting with others who are not members of their household in public and private spaces.” However, according to the CDC, fully vaccinated people can visit with other fully vaccinated people, whether indoors or outdoors, without a mask.
Personally, as a fully vaccinated person, I wear a mask any time I’m around others and when I go inside a place of business (there is typically a sign requesting I do so before I enter). In addition to following the mandate, I consider it a courtesy to respect the concerns of others.
One of the exciting aspects of the reopening of our society is the reemergence of things we once took for granted. For example, summer camps are returning this year (see pages 12 and 13 for a glimpse of the exciting offerings). Churches are having in-person services, though with a reduced capacity. This week, Mary O’Keefe called the manager at CV Park to get some information. After hanging up from the call she said how happy she was to “hear his voice.”
Things are looking up and if we continue following the mandates outlined, which include wearing a mask, and getting vaccinated before long it’ll be a memory … not a fond one for sure but a memory nonetheless.