The Return to Normalcy Has Begun in California

While there can be little doubt the road back to life as we knew it previously will be longer than everyone otherwise might prefer, this week, we started to see toilet paper (multiple varieties, sizes, etc.) as well as occasional bottles of Lysol appear at local stores, and beaches are once again full with people running, sailboats in the distance, and folks riding their bicycles. Many of the independent retail shops have reopened, and restaurants are beginning to accept diners, again. Innovation will play a significant role in restoring GDP to its prior levels; e.g., Newport Beach is set to have an meeting on Tuesday to pass an emergency ordinance allowing food and beverage establishments to expand outdoor seating areas during the pandemic in order to help bring back in the bulk of revenues; a tactic I expect to see in municipalities across the world.

Yesterday, we had some things we needed to get done and ended up driving through Laguna Beach.  The line of cars to make it into the main part of town was impressive and the sidewalks were bustling with families.

This afternoon, we enjoyed our first sit-down restaurant in months, opting for a Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich from R+D Kitchen. They were seating only parties of two spaced with empty booths between the parties for a drastic reduction in occupancy – normally this place is packed – and everyone was asked to wear masks until they were seated with their food. The staff was wearing masks, as well, and they were disinfecting the tables regularly.