social distancing and shopping with masks & gloves. Photo by Katie Murphy
By Dan Murphy
As beaches open across New York State and Westchester County, the message from the overwhelming majority of county residents is, “wear your mask and continue social distancing, but let’s open up.” How that opening up happens depends on how all of us behave this memorial day weekend in public parks and open spaces, not only in Westchester but across the tri-state region.
This reporter attended the “re-opening” of the Muscoot Famer’s Market last weekend. The event was controlled; only 30 people at a time were allowed to walk around the farm and shop among the 6 vendors, selling pickles, baked good, beer, cheese, and fruits and vegetables for 45 minutes.
Everyone had masks on and most had gloves on, and all were practicing social distancing. Some were hiking along the farm and all of us were enjoying getting outdoors on a beautiful spring day. Most important, all of us were being safe, and practicing what Gov. Cuomo has told us is required for New York State to open up.
The Governor has opened up the beaches for Memorial Day Weekend. What does this mean for Westchester? The of the County beaches, at Playland and Croton Point Parks, will be open for Memorial Day Weekend.
But those beaches will be monitored to make sure that visitors maintain proper social distancing. If beachgoers do not act safely and responsibly, County Executive Latimer warned that the beaches will be closed.
“If they want to enjoy the outdoors, they have to do it at a distance from the next person,” Latimer said. These words hold true not only for the beaches this weekend, but for every park and open space.
Act responsibly and slowly, we can re-open
