Beyond memes of hoarded toilet paper, social media feeds are filling up with another kind of coronavirus-driven trend: \u201cquarantine shaming.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not only the spring breakers partying on Florida beaches or elevator sneezers catching shade online\u2014people doing mundane things in Long Beach, from getting coffee to picking up beach trash, even while practicing social distancing, are among those being vilified.<\/p>\n
At Belmont Shore\u2019s popular Polly\u2019s Gourmet Coffee, which remains open for to-go orders only (in compliance with health and safety guidelines), business is slowing down in part because owner Mike Sheldrake said customers are becoming less sure if it\u2019s socially acceptable to go out for a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n
Still, there are some die-hard regulars who won\u2019t give up their coffee routine, choosing to bring lawn chairs and sit in the parking lot each morning now that the patio is closed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey realize they cannot be inside endangering other people, so they are meeting outside and supporting each other,\u201d Sheldrake said about the parking lot gatherers.<\/p>\n
Yet those parking lot coffee drinkers do get a few glares thrown at them from passersby \u2014 experts say there\u2019s a growing divide between those who are self-isolating and those who are trying for a semblance of a normal life in what\u2019s an unprecedented and rapidly changing effort to contain the virus.<\/p>\n
Long Beach residents are asking themselves if it\u2019s OK to let their children play on playgrounds or take their dogs to the beach. What was socially acceptable yesterday might be different today in this rapidly changing environment, especially as the social gap widens between those who are deemed essential workers and those who stay at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all changing so quickly,\u201d Sheldrake said. \u201cI\u2019m just amazed at the amount of people who have come in to stock up on coffee and support us, and now that they\u2019re loaded up with coffee, I think it\u2019s going to be a long time before we see them again.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Bixby Knolls, an effort to show support for a local ice cream parlor also was met with mixed reaction. A couple of profane messages via social media and emails were directed toward the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, which organized the \u201cflash\u201d event, offering free scoops for participants.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a business retention program. We were giving away ice cream over a five-hour span of time, and it was not a party. It was take-out. You walked in, you left, and no one got within six feet of another person,\u201d BKBIA Executive Director Blair Cohn said, noting that the turnout was good, with about 40 free scoops given.<\/p>\n
Disappointed by the negativity expressed online, Cohn emphasized that safety is always the priority as the BKBIA tries to find innovative ways to keep the community engaged and keep business owners\u2019 hopes alive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve thought this through,\u201d Cohn said. \u201cSafety is always front of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mindfully designed to be socially-distanced, to-go order flash giveaways are something Cohn said he wants to do more of to support local businesses at a time when people may be looking for safe ways to support independent shops, get outside and be a part of the community.<\/p>\n
Some of the business district\u2019s regular events, such as crowd-gathering First Fridays, have been canceled to prevent the spread of the virus. The BKBIA is continuing its Strollers program, which is in its 12th year, with a walk planned this Saturday that will encourage participants to spread out and do their steps together, yet apart.<\/p>\n
Another person who\u2019s trying to find safe ways to keep people connected while they\u2019re physically apart is community advocate Justin Rudd, who founded the nonprofit Community Action Team. But Rudd said it\u2019s been difficult to find solutions, and some people online haven\u2019t been encouraging.<\/p>\n
A city mandate forced Rudd to call off the next two monthly 30-Minute Beach Cleanups, which have been happening for 249 consecutive months, even though Rudd had planned to encourage volunteers to keep their distance from one another while they picked up garbage with gloved hands.<\/p>\n
Something as simple as exercising outdoors, Rudd said, faces potentially harsh judgment online.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been working out outside and running stairs every day with a friend, and we are being smart about it, but some people think you should just stay at home,\u201d he said. \u201cMy friend didn\u2019t want me to post a photo of us (on social media) because he didn\u2019t want to get shamed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community Action Team, which canceled several of its larger events \u2014 including building Easter baskets for kids \u2014 has instead donated $36,000 in hygiene items, school supplies and books to several different agencies in town this month. Rudd also is using his \u201cLong Beach, Calif.\u201d Facebook page to connect isolated people in need to volunteers who can help.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really need to stay positive and stay connected, even in these dark times \u2014\u00a0there\u2019s light,\u201d Rudd said. \u201cWe still have each other, even though we might not be shaking hands.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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