(Fighting New Crown Pneumonia) Global War "Outbreak": 6-foot "Pitch" Life in the San Francisco Bay Area

China News Agency, San Francisco, March 21st: Global war "outbreak": 6-foot "spacing" life in the San Francisco Bay Area

China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan

American writer Samuel Langen Clement, a former sailor, gave himself a pen name of Mark Twain, meaning "water depth 12 feet". This is a sign that you can sail safely. With countless daily ships in the San Francisco Bay Area, sailors never thought that a hundred years after Mark Twain's death, life on the shore also needed to maintain a safe distance.

On March 18, local time, residents of San Mateo County in the San Francisco Bay Area kept a certain distance from others when they were outdoors. Six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area issued a ban on the 16th local time, requiring residents to stay at home for the next three weeks as much as possible. Because "necessary activities" go out, you need to maintain a 6-foot "social distance" with others. On the 19th, the California governor issued a similar ban across the state. Photo by Liu Guanguan of China News Agency

Andrew in San Mateo County is an enthusiastic and talkative supermarket clerk. The old customer and him have become friends for a long time and always shake hands and hug each time they meet. But recently, the latest travel ban in six counties in the Bay Area has added a bit of distress to Andrew.

"There is something wrong with my old man ’s house. I want to comfort him and give him a hug, but suddenly I remember that we have to maintain a 'social distance'. I ca n’t even pat him on the shoulder. , Talk to him. "

Six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area issued a ban on the 16th local time, requiring residents to stay at home for the next three weeks as much as possible. Because "necessary activities" go out, it is necessary to maintain a "social distance" of 6 feet (about 1.8 meters) with others. On the 19th, the California governor issued a similar ban across the state.

On March 18, local time, residents of San Mateo County in the San Francisco Bay Area kept a certain distance from each other while talking. Photo by Liu Guanguan of China News Agency

San Francisco Mayor London Brid said in a video speech: "'Social distance' is the most important way we can now slow down the spread of the virus, and if you have to go out, try to stay 6 feet away from others." At the recent press conference, the lined-up staff behind Brid also began to leave more space.

According to the ban, the Bay Area subway system provides only basic transportation services. Few passengers are scattered in different corners of the carriage, maintaining the maximum space between each other.

At the entrance of a supermarket in San Jose, in the heart of Silicon Valley, Morand stretched his arms outstretched to a 6-foot length. However, Morand admits: "This is a very real problem. If you are full of people around you, it is really inconvenient for you to tell others that it is 6 feet away from you."

Because people no longer need to "go to class," the number of people running and walking on the plastic track at Mills High School in San Mateo County is significantly higher than usual. Unlike usual, runners no longer surpass others in a "pass-by" manner, but instead step over at least two tracks and then "overtake" quickly. Pedestrians also increased significantly on the walkway not far from the playground. Seeing people coming across, pedestrians often consciously move to the far right of the road to maximize the distance between the two sides. Someone brought a yoga mat to the open space and tried some simple fitness methods.

On March 18, local time, residents of San Mateo County in the San Francisco Bay Area kept a certain distance from others when they were outdoors. Photo by Liu Guanguan of China News Agency

After running, Lucas, an IT employee, told reporters 6 feet away when stretching. Because he usually works at a computer, working at home has not reduced his workload. "I do n’t have to be stuck in the road, I have some more free time, for example, I can come here to run." Lucas said, "I usually like 'home', so the ban has no effect on my life, but distance Make me more comfortable. "

At various intersections, people will take the initiative to stop and wait for others to advance, and exchange greetings. Most dog owners will quickly pull the dog's rope to the minimum when encountering a pedestrian to prevent pets from touching each other. Daisy, who has been retiring for many years, goes out to walk the dog every day. She is confident in fighting the epidemic: "Now people are obviously farther away, but the distance reflects our solidarity. Californians, Americans and people all over the world, They should unite and fight the virus together. "

The impact of "6 feet" is also reflected in the service industry that is still operating such as takeaway. At a dining table at the entrance of a Hunan restaurant in Millbrae, there is a note stating "contactless dining". Customers place orders online, pick up food at the store, and restaurants can also provide food delivery services. Waiter Sonny told reporters that from the 16th, the restaurant will only accept takeaway orders. She said that people cannot completely resist the new virus by their own immunity, and the US government should already take measures to control the spread of the virus.

On March 16, local time, a customer wearing a mask waited for a meal at a Hunan restaurant in Millbrae, San Francisco Bay Area. Photo by Liu Guanguan of China News Agency

Although the vast majority of residents can consciously comply with "social distance", not everyone fully agrees with this travel ban. Sergi, who is playing with children in the park, consciously keeps away from pedestrians, but he said that there are occasions when people cannot guarantee that they are 6 feet apart. Sergi said that people can still go to supermarkets and hospitals, so the ban does not effectively stop the virus from spreading.

This idea is confirmed in the supermarket where Andrew works. There, people seem to ignore the "6 feet" rule. Andrew said the toilet paper was sold out within 10 minutes of being on the shelves, "too crazy." Constantly contacting various suppliers for replenishment every day also exhausted him and his colleagues.

Locals say this is a new way of life, and turning it into a habit "may take some time." (Finish)