It is so encouraging to see Alameda County citizens & businesses come together, make sacrifices, and work hard to keep each other safe in this incredibly challenging time.

It's DISCOURAGING to see how some people and businesses feel they are above this crisis, and that the rules and measures in place don't apply to them. I'm referring to SOLAR TACTICAL GUN SHOP in Livermore who continues to sell guns with its doors wide open, to customers streaming in and out in flagrant violation of the Health Officer mandate.

Gun shops are NOT essential businesses. The order requires them to conduct online sales only and send to their guns DIRECTLY to their customer's residences.

The Livermore police will do nothing about this and will only respond by explaining that Solar Tactical tells them they are "closed." Sure, there's a "closed" sign in Solar Tactical's window, but that doesn't seem to dissuade the steady stream of customers standing at the counter buying guns.
I understand that many police officers are gun enthusiasts and so may have a natural relationship with gun shops. I also understand how powerful the NRA is and that they've already threatened to sue Alameda County for requiring their gun shops to close.

I would hope that a National Health Crisis threatening the lives of everyone is more powerful than the NRA.

Thus far at least, it's apparently not.

Gun sales are protected by the Constitution. Take out pizza is not. Keep all gun shops open. They are an essential business. Don’t buy a gun if you don’t want to. Others want their constitutional freedom to protect their family.

the problem will solve its itself.

-darwin

No wonder we are the City with more cases in the tri valley. Some people still think of this as a vacation time. Going out for jogging, walking their dogs, even having the babies outside and kids together in parks. No social distance. While other people is staying at home to defeat this virus some others still don't take it seriously and are endangering to all of us.

[Removed pending verification]

@JuanCarlos,

All of those activities are allowed and encouraged, as long as you practice social distancing with those outside your household.

I walk my dog or walk by myself everyday, making sure I stay far away from everyone I pass. I have even identified routes that have the least potential for encountering others.

This is perfectly acceptable and within the guidelines. Neither myself nor others will be spreading the virus.

The big challenge I have is with others. Very few put any effort into maintaining a distance from me. I can walk well into the road, landscaping, etc to keep my distance and they can’t manage to even move to the far side of the sidewalk.

Walking is a great way for me to manage the stress associated with these challenging times and to remain physically and mentally healthy.

I am 61 years old and realize I am in a risk group. My caution while walking carries little or no risk.

Although my stress level goes high when I’m unlucky in running into the majority of other people in this community who do not care about those around them by not putting any effort in keeping their distance.

Oh, and all you runners and bike riders - it not just fellow walkers I’m referring to.

Gun stores seem to be "essential businesses" everywhere else, even Chicago...the shooting capitol of America, but not in Alameda County. What's probably got people upset now is that "liberals" are buying guns. If you don't like guns or are fearful of guns then don't buy one, but don't try to prohibit a constitutional right. The NRA offers gun safety classes so maybe you should give that a try to help reduce your level of anxiety.

@Olorin wrote “ The NRA offers gun safety classes so maybe you should give that a try to help reduce your level of anxiety.”

The NRA should start by instructing current gun owners to properly secure their guns from theft:

“Criminals steal more than 237,000 guns from legal American gun owners every year“ -Business Insider, 11/20/17

Pretty sure the second amendment provides the right to "keep and bear arms" it doesn't say anything about the sale of weapons during a pandemic.

"The NRA should start by instructing current gun owners to properly secure their guns from theft"


The typical blame shifting/collective guilt response from the political left when confronted with criminal activity. People who break our laws/abuse firearms are just "victims" of society and/or the law abiding legally owning guns "not doing enough" or "not being safe enough".

Just what we don't need to be hearing.

The first comment sounds more like an ad rather than a complaint.

@James, JuanCarlos

Some of us choose to use some perspective and common sense, and not act like the sky is falling, because it's not, unless you take into consideration the massive destruction that it being done to the economy and people's livelihoods. Many small businesses will never reopen, it will take many years for millions of people to recover and we are further bankrupting the entire country. I guess it's all worth it consider a whopping .0005% of Pleasanton's population has tested positive (many of which were at a retirement home). Per the latest projections from the "models", they are now saying less than 60,000 total deaths in the U.S., similar to that of the flu. You stay locked up inside and us bad people will continue to walk our dogs, hike, go to the store - gun stores included. And yes, gun stores are very essential when they are letting criminals out of jail due to the virus. Santa Rita has let out in excess of 250 already.

I am not sure about continuing to use the "old folks" angle as a safety net basis on virus discussion.

According to the numbers (which I think we all will agree are largely under-reported)... only 10% of all confirmed cases are "retirement aged" people.... which means 90% of the other infected people are the rest of us - none of whom are in retirement homes.

Juan Carlos and Karl are probably a lot more accurate that you imply.

Stay safe people, be smart.

I want to take a moment to give a BIG shout out to Sunrise Senior Livinghere in Pleasanton! When they told me that one of their residents had been diagnosed with Covid-19 I was sure that my aunt who lives there with Dementia & COPD was going to get it and die. Watching what was unfolding on tv at other Senior homes terrified me. But because Sunrise was already locked down from the Flu they were able to keep all other residents and staff from contracting it. They are my heroes just as much as
doctors, nurses, first responders, truck drivers, & grocery clerks.
It is just a relief knowing that she is being well cared for!

I don't stress over those who want to walk outside. What greatly distresses me is that people aren't wearing masks outside. What are our guidelines? If you are going somewhere WEAR masks.
Pleasanton people...get a grip. This is the only way we are going to defeat this terrible virus. Don't be the person that losses a family member because they weren't practicing safe measures.

" a whopping .0005% of Pleasanton's population has tested positive ..... they are now saying less than 60,000 total deaths in the U.S, similar to that of the flu."

@ The Sky is Falling

Appreciate the scientific thought process and statistics, now can you share what those numbers would be if everyone reflected the same "bad person" attitude and ignored the recommendations of real experts, and/or our government hadn't instituted the current recommendations (e.g. social distancing)?

P.S. Kudos to the state/county for putting the health of our low-risk offenders (and the broader prison population and staff) ahead of the fears of the paranoid. While also leaving you every right to hibernate inside your front door, on sofa, with AR-15 in hand :-)

@Rosalie

Masks will slow the coronavirus down but won't stop it. According to the Santa Clara County Public Health Director, EVERYONE in the Bay Area is going to eventually catch the coronavirus. The purpose of masks and shelters-in-place is to slow the virus down so not too many people have to go to the hospitals at the same time.

As for the symptoms of coronavirus, it has been reported that up to 50% of young people (< age 60) show no noticeable symptoms when they are infected with coronavirus. Many of you reading this post may be infected with coronavirus right now but not know it. It's mostly those who are older and/or have pre-existing health problems who are hit hardest by coronavirus.

Those of you that are healthy count your blessings during this most stressful time which neither of us ever thought we would be experiencing this type of disaster during our life time. I am a 74 year old male and have C.O.P.D with 42% capacity of function in my lungs. Never smoked but due to second hand smoking and hazardous conditions with my place of employment I am forced to be one of those at high risk, Yesterday I ventured out to get various items needed and I wore a mask but within five minutes of wearing the mask I found that I could not breath and I was gasping for much needed air.

So why am I conveying this to you? I do not want your pity but I want to stress to all of you that life is precious and don't endanger yourselves or anyone else by not protecting yourself and others. This is a time of great uncertainty especially for elderly folks but my heart goes out to our youngsters who have their whole lives ahead of them. Many dreams have been shattered but remember you are not alone. We must be strong for those we love even though we each struggle differently and march to a different tune.

Don't be too quick to judge others as you don't know what they are going through, be it poor health or a loss of a loved one and you didn't get a chance to say I Love you or wanting to say good bye to those struggling to stay alive. My heart goes out to those who help each other no matter what it might take. Each one of us might have a different Faith and a different way of thinking but we all have each other and love and compassion will bring us together.


I

I don't understand how people don't equate the lockdown to the lower cases? thats a clear sign its working.

Dr Fauci said this t from the beginning, he specifically said if the shelter in place is successful it will make it look like it was not needed. thats exactly whats happening. the reduction in forecasted deaths is a direct correlation to the shelter in place.

i guess if people still believe the earth is flat they will believe anything.

1.6M people in Alameda County,800 confirmed cases, 17 dead. I'd say we overreacted. We could and should have handled this without a national economic shutdown and still protect the most vulnerable. This is absurd. How many are unemployed, and permanently? People outside with masks on. Crazy! You can't catch it in the open air. Yes in close quarters. Stop the panic, selective quarantine. Test high risk areas and keep washing your filthy hands. Let's get on with life.

Masks prevent YOU from giving someone else the virus. A mask will not prevent YOU from catching the virus. This has been noted about masks by the medical experts. The only sure way to not catch the virus is to not be in contact with others.

So no, I do not wear a mask on my walks because I am not in contact with others - I keep on average 20+ feet from others, if I run into anybody. Wearing a mask with be of zero benefit and would be a waste of mask.

I have yet to be brave enough to go to a store - but I really have more than enough healthy food and toilet paper to last well into May or beyond (as long as I have electricity and my freezer / fridge still works). So I will just stay away.

If I do have to be in contact with others, I have a supply of masks and will wear one to protect the others in my community from catching the virus if I happen to have it.

@Thomas

See what is happening in NY. I don't think we are overreacting. We almost perfectly acted, having shelter in place right before the peak comes. This thing has exponential growth here and the number doubles every three days. We get low numbers per capita because our lockdown policies worked. That's not the evidence we overreacted.

At the end of the day, COVID-19 is likely to infect a majority of the population, no matter how far apart we stay from one another. The good news is that once immune, people can go back to work, just like any other flu. Our containment efforts must focus on the most vulnerable: the elderly and patients with underlying cardiopulmonary diseases.

We need to flatten the curve (I hate this new code phrase) for the elderly but accelerate herd immunity for the healthy so that we don’t kill the economy trying to outrun the pandemic in lockdown. While home isolation for one month might stop a local outbreak, it merely sets the clock back, kicks the can down the road, as the virus may return if it is not globally defeated. Many experts (who are ignored or silenced by the media) have stated schools should have not been closed, as youth immune system response would have dealt with the virus easily, thus increasing herd immunity.
Unfortunately the chicken little sky is falling media, politicians, and unelected bureaucrats in our state and local governments have people sheep blindly following along. Without once asking our so called leaders and so called experts why?
Have anyone of you asked, when is the all clear date and why that particular date? And when it happens, have you even wondered how will it be safe since the people have been forced into isolation with no immunity. Have anyone of you questioned the so called models? Why were they so over inflated? Why are the models of experts that show no reason for economic shut downs and social isolation not being shown?
One last question; the chicken little sheep all claim this is deadly fast spreading virus, but...how is it all the essential businesses and workers are still functioning? Wouldn't it be true then, if it's as bad as you all claim, all of those workers would be sick or dead and the businesses would be shut down due to no available workers? Not one of you can give a logical or comprehensive answer to that.

James: Never will taking the rights of the best people in your community stop crime.

Remember the NRA is a group of the best people in your community. You are against the good people in your town and are in favor of criminals.

And blaming the best people in your community for a criminals action of felony theft is misplaced.

@JT

The point was how can gun owners claim to be “stopping crime” if they can’t even stop criminals from stealing their own guns?

That’s 237,000 guns stolen annually from gun owners by criminals.

@Ben J

You aren't an expert. You don't know what you are talking about. It would be good if you just shut up. Do you you are told or get reported.

Ben J, please listen to the medical experts, rather than relying on your own opinions on this matter.

The two models that the Government has used to make decisions have been remarkably INACCURATE.

The IMHE Model from the University of Washington has been revised down 3 times now.

Now before you claim that downward revisions are PROOF that social distancing did indeed help alleviate the deaths and hospitalizations, you need to be aware that social distancing was always factored into the model.

The Imperial model from Great Britain was always overblown. The creator of that model REFUSES to show his data and has been called out for unreliability.

As of this writing, deaths in California number 541 and infections are at 19472.

While I'm sensitive to those impacted, 541 deaths in a population of almost 40 million is not reason enough to continue to shut down this economy.

Dan

Are you deliberately ignoring the actual data from New York, or do you view this as "INACCURATE" and/or irrelevant, also?

New York CITY is the outlier and has been badly managed through the crises. This is widely recognized. And btw, they are seeing their numbers plummet now.

Now about California...got anything to say?

I'm not deliberately ignoring New York.

Go look at the overall numbers, Really. You'll find that the current media hype does not match the actual numbers.

@DKHSK wrote “ Now before you claim that downward revisions are PROOF that social distancing did indeed help alleviate the deaths and hospitalizations, you need to be aware that social distancing was always factored into the model.”

Yeah, but there are different degrees of social distancing and different levels of seriousness at which people adopt social distancing. The scientists who came up with the models had no way of accurately estimating to what degree social distancing would be practiced in reality. To make a conservative estimate they had to assume an amount of social distancing on the low end of their expectations, and so it’s no surprise that the models were later revised downwards. If they had been revised upwards, then that would be very disturbing since it would indicate that the scientists were not conservative enough and that they overestimated the amount of social distancing.

Having said that, though, from the data so far I agree that the country probably overdid it with imposing controls to the extent that the economy was virtually shut down. This is not the bubonic plague. In fact, for most younger people the coronavirus symptoms seem to be even milder than those of the common flu. For older people or people with pre-existing health problems, the serious complications are much more likely. It should be possible to protect people at greater risk without virtually shutting down the entire economy.

Yes - listen to the medical experts and not your own opinions.

NYC was "badly managed" how and since when did their numbers start to "plummet"?

"To make a conservative estimate they had to assume an amount of social distancing on the low end of their expectations, and so it’s no surprise that the models were later revised downwards."

Here is the FAQ from their website: Web Link

Quote: "Our model assumes social distancing stays in place until the pandemic, in its current phase, reaches the point when deaths are less than 0.3 per million people."

They don't talk about gradations of social distancing. Please provide a safe link where this is actually quoted from the creators of the model or forever be known to just be making things up.

"NYC was "badly managed" how".

When MSNBC complains about a socialist Democrat, I might agree with them: Web Link

"since when did their numbers start to "plummet"?"

Web Link

Now go do your own homework.

@DKHSK wrote “ They don't talk about gradations of social distancing. “

Dan, are you really so obtuse that you want to claim that there aren’t different degrees of social distancing and different levels of seriousness at which people adopt social distancing? Of course the scientists had to assume some particular degree of social distancing.

Wombat,

Proof please, or you're just talking for talking sake.

DKHSK, your first link doesn't work, but I am not inclined to read it, based on how you have politically positioned this, unless it is more specifically relevant to COVID-19.

Your 2nd link shows that the number of new cases (as distinct to deaths) has reduced very significantly, over the last 3 days, and hopefully this remains the case. You may also want to note that the NY Governor and his medical advisers have attributed this, in large part, to the effects of social distancing.

Wombat,

"but there are different degrees of social distancing and different levels of seriousness at which people adopt social distancing."

Which degrees are there? Please provide references.

"The scientists who came up with the models had no way of accurately estimating to what degree social distancing would be practiced in reality."

And you know this how? Please provide your references.

"To make a conservative estimate they had to assume an amount of social distancing on the low end of their expectations, and so it’s no surprise that the models were later revised downwards."

And you know this, how? Please provide your references.

"Having said that, though, from the data so far I agree that the country probably overdid it with imposing controls to the extent that the economy was virtually shut down."

Finally we agree.

Now was that so hard?

Quit second guessing the experts and do what they say. You have no idea what you are talking about.

"DKHSK, your first link doesn't work, but I am not inclined to read it, based on how you have politically positioned this, unless it is more specifically relevant to COVID-19."


YOU were the one questioning my remarks on the NYC failure. I provide a link to highlight that failure and now you claim it is "politically positioned?

I didn't mention politics the whole time.

Who's the one "politically positioning" now?

"Quit second guessing the experts and do what they say. You have no idea what you are talking about."

No.

Question EVERYTHING.

"You have no idea what you are talking about."

This coming from a man who did not understand what/why "lfattening the curve" was and what is was supposed to do.

Care to rebut ANYTHING BobB, or are you just going to continue to tell people to shut up and listen?

@DKHSK

“Which degrees are there? Please provide references.”

There can be differences in the distances that people maintain, whether people have a habit of wearing masks or even gloves when they go out, the amount of public transportation that people use or even whether they use them at all, etc.. What, you need “references” for that simple information?

“ And you know this how? Please provide your references.”

Because scientists are not omniscient. Need a “reference” for that?

“ And you know this, how? Please provide your references.”

You really need me to explain why assuming a low amount of social distancing results in a conservative estimate, Mr. Obtuse? That linkage is really beyond your mental abilities? You want a “reference” for that?

Boy, I try changing channels and the Wombat hate fest shows up again...,,,

I guess I’ll go take a walk and make sure I follow THE social distancing guidelines as defined by the CDC

No DKHSK,

I'm just going to tell people to shut up and listen. You don't know what you're talking about. You sound like an anti vaxxer. That's what they say all the time -- "I did it my own research..."

And no I didn't get flattening the curve wrong. You need to go back and look at the fine print on that graph that Mike Pence keep showing. That poster says it reduces the peak and the total number of infections. Go back and look. that's what the experts say that's where they got that poster.

You need to just shut up and listen. Vaccinate your children. And do what you're told because you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

@Bob

You’re funny, Bob. You yourself described Trump as being a “New York a-h” on the other story, remember? And then you wail about how unfair it is that so many people “hate” him? Seems that you need to think things over and get your story straight.

Don't go to church tomorrow. Just don't.

please go to church.

Sincerely,
Darwin Theory

DKHSK, Wombat did answer your questions. Maybe not in the politest way, but he/she did answer all of them.

Everybody is getting stressed out about coronavirus. We need to get back to normal.

A Cosmo hair cut would normalize everything.

@Bob

I dunno, Bob. Sounds like you’ve got some repressed hate against Trump yourself. For all my disgust with him, I’ve never called him a “New York a-h” like you have. Hope you get some counseling to work out your confused feelings about him.

@DKHSK

Yeah, I did answer all your questions, as lame as they were. Better luck next time.

Have a nice weekend everyone. No more hate!

And Wombat’s hate continues.......

"The point was how can gun owners claim to be “stopping crime” if they can’t even stop criminals from stealing their own guns?"


You don't get the "point" on this issue (and neither do the so called "progressives" either).

No one is being forced against his/her will to steal firearms. It's already a criminal act and once again you are portraying those doing it like bystanders and victims. How can you claim to want to stop crime by just making excuses for people caught committing it?

@DKHSK,

You have no idea what you are talking about. Do what the experts say and shut up.

Please stop being so hateful to each other. The situation is already stressful enough. Be kind even if you strongly disagree with someone. Please. It matters how we treat each other. Do what’s best for everyone. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. People are afraid. Some not as much. Show each other some grace.

40 cases from a population of 82,000 people.

40 known cases. We may never know those who were asymptomatic or those who had mild cases and never get tested. Maybe if we all get an antibody test.

Plenty of teens are sneaking out in the middle of the night. If this starts spreading among them we will be in lock down even longer.

I just saw a group of around a dozen teens "hanging out" in broad daylight.

On my screen, it shows the current number of confirmed cases in the US at around 550,000, with around 22,000 deaths.

Does anyone really think Pleasanton is somehow "immune"?

When I visited ACPHD DASHBOARD yesterday, Pleasanton was listed with 43 cases.
Next report update is probably Monday afternoon. I anticipate that number will increase again.

Well when you let anyone come to your country they will bring disease fact. How muchor how bad not sure but if you let anyone travel anywhere anytime your gonna increase the spread of disease fact. Trump is one of a few to actually try and halt this. Boarder wall. No travel from china etc. The dems have been pushing for open boarders and more for years now. In effect the dems and those who support them are the danger to america. Let's see how easily we can infect america is the dems motto. So we can get votes to take over the country
If you support the modern democratic party dont come on here and preach social distancing. Your votes are spreading this virus faster than anything else.
Dems are responsible for kissing g China ass biden took how much money from china? So cut the bs.
You vote for open boarders tou get everything g that comes with it including disease and a nasty virus. Thanks dems for putting america last again. Illegal first china second and america last thanks dems voters. Youbprobably hated Lincoln too

Found this amusing and insightful post on a forum:

Captain Trump of the RMS Titanic:
There isn't any iceberg.
There was an iceberg but it's in a totally different ocean.
The iceberg is in this ocean but it will melt very soon.
There is an iceberg but we didn't hit the iceberg.
We hit the iceberg, but the damage will be repaired very shortly.
The iceberg is a Chinese iceberg.
We are taking on water but every passenger who wants a lifeboat can get a lifeboat, and they are beautiful lifeboats.
Look, passengers need to ask nicely for the lifeboats if they want them.
We don't have any lifeboats, we're not lifeboat distributors.
Passengers should have planned for icebergs and brought their own lifeboats.
I really don't think we need that many lifeboats.
We have lifeboats and they're supposed to be our lifeboats, not the passengers' lifeboats.
The lifeboats were left on shore by the last captain of this ship.
Nobody could have foreseen the iceberg.

BobB,

No. Get lost.

"New York CITY is the outlier" - wth?

Just lost any statistical credibility and your audience with that line!

@DKHSK,

You have no idea what you are talking about. People are dying. The experts are telling us to stay home and we need to stay. It would be best if you just shut up.

All this talk about guns and theft of guns has me concerned. I'm not concerned about getting sick from the gun store, I'm concerned about all the prisoners that they're planning on releasing so THEY don't get sick.

I'm heading to Livermore to buy a gun - I sure hope they're open and there aren't too many democrats waiting in line ahead of me.

@WoW,
Isn’t it funny all things converge to a border wall? Like a silver bullet to all the problems?

If you really believe that idea without any racism agenda, then you should be asking the question why European travel bans are implemented so late.

@TZ
Yes Overreacted. My comment said Selective Quarantines, like your Selective Comprehension. NYC should be under quarantine, Not 330 million Americans. FYI, the SF Bay Area had a known case(s) before the Cruise ship docked. The virus was here before ANY Shelter in Place orders. The virus is not spreading like wildfire Everywhere for some reason. We should have been a hot spot earlier if it was. We DEFINITELY overreacted and should not have shut down the entire country. Nor should we be so willing to give up our RIGHTS so willingly. Not all Hot spots are created equal.

@Thomas L
But you never know who could become a super-spreader just like that Marathon runner in Italy. It’s true not all hot spots are created equal but we don’t know that until we have done extensive testing. I am not against lifting the lockdown but only when we are really ready. That probably means after we see: (a) the number is flat for 14 days (b) hospitals have enough ICU beds (c) businesses and people follow social distancing.

@DHHSK,

Yes, an outlier for the US.

Educate yourself: Web Link

Safe link to CDC.

Same with you, BobB.

Dan