From the San Francisco Chronicle:
A small tourist town is refusing to comply with California's shutdown. It may not be the only one
On Sunday at midnight, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order went into effect for the greater Southern California region. The order shuttered all in-person dining, closed hotels to everyone but essential workers, and further reduced capacity in retail establishments. Breweries and wineries were closed to all but retail sales.
But the small tourist town of Solvang is refusing to comply — even as the pandemic surges.
On Monday, Solvang Mayor Ryan Toussaint filed an emergency motion in a Solvang City Council meeting that the town would not comply with the order. It passed 5-0.
“As of tonight, they can go about their business as they had done this weekend,” said Councilman Daniel Johnson. While restaurants are still adhering to safety protocols and limiting capacity, they are continuing to allow outdoor dining.
“Significant concerns about the latest round of business shutdowns were expressed by residents, business representatives and our Council,” Toussaint wrote in a letter on Dec. 7 to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. “The community of Solvang has done a great job at being mindful, safe and responsible while keeping our local economy going during these challenging times. The current order by the State is ill-conceived, unnecessary and quite frankly negligent when it comes to protecting our community in a safe, balanced and sane manner.”
Great move - We The People are speaking out. Gruesome Newsom put the lockdown trigger at 15% knowing full well that Emergency rooms and ICU capacity always hits 10% this time of year. Makes perfect sense when you think about it - building a new hospital? Statistically, what is your busiest time and how busy are you? Build in a 10% buffer and go. I wrote about that a couple of days ago: The California Lockdown
Some fun photos at the site - two signs: "Don we now our face apparel" and "Please Santa-tize upon entering"
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