![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/stever82/kneNPLE4-image.png)

Huntington Beach has been in the news a lot in the last few weeks. As the fight whether to reopen or not continues, that won't change. The state has been fighting with our local government. This has been over high-density housing, sanctuary state laws, and now COVID-19 response. Huntington Beach and Orange County have been more on the side of staying open. While the State Government has been forcing local small businesses and parks and beaches to close. 

This fight came to a head about a week ago with [Gavin Newsome closing down the Orange County City Beaches](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/us/newsom-beach-closing-california-coronavirus.html) this was meet with very big [protest](https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/01/us/california-orange-county-injunction-beaches/index.html). The images do make it seem like people are all over the beaches. But that fact just isn't true. The main thing that seems to be ignored is how different Huntington Beach is from other cities. Huntington has fought to keep big apartments out of the city. Most neighborhoods are single-family homes. We don't ride trains, and most don't use the buses. That is why with a very limited stay at home orders our cases and deaths are not much higher if not lower than other places. We are also not stupid. Sure we go outside but we don't take unnecessary risk.

I went to the beach to prove this to you. At this point, they are open again but only to do activities. So you can go play horseshoes with people but can't site alone on the stand. A great example of how silly the rules seem to be. 

![IMG6512.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/stever82/PwOEuUsg-IMG-6512.jpg)

These sighs are all over the place. Money well spent? I don't think so. Even with these all over the place the people on the beach at doing whatever they want. Local police have already said they won't enforce the rules. Yet still, the sighs are up. All you have to do is take a look around to see people are still being safe even when they are out. 

![IMG6510.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/stever82/jrwQ1tmz-IMG-6510.jpg)

Parking lots sit empty and no one is parking right next to each other. While people are walking on the boardwalk they don't bunch up. 

![IMG6508.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/stever82/SbtgKHbu-IMG-6508.jpg)

The sand is almost empty with just a few people spread out to enjoy the sun on this pretty day. There are a few crowds of skaters and younger people in one area I pass. But overall there are no big groups. Just little ones of three or four friends. 


![IMG6511.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/stever82/KQPoQzUF-IMG-6511.jpg)

The pier would be full of people on a day like this in the past. But today there is no one on it. It was pretty strange to see that. I have never seen it empty before. 



![IMG6509.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/stever82/18ihlTKU-IMG-6509.jpg)

Many times on my walk I found myself alone with the nearest person far away. I can't get why they felt a need to close the beaches. See the truth is that I could have got a few photos of the crowds in one or two spots. Near the snack shack. Or right as we passed under the pier. But that would be a lie. The truth is the beaches are almost empty. That people that are there are just going for a walk and going home. I for one will be going back to enjoy some walks in the fresh ocean air. I will also make sure to support the local small businesses that are open.

![IMG6503.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/stever82/RmC2VTNs-IMG-6503.jpg)

If you are allowed to go into Walmart then I am sure you will be fine picking up a milk tea as I did.