Has Los Angles County traded freedom for safety?

This order regarding COVID-19 takes effect in Los Angeles County starting November 30, 2020, through December 20, 2020. I will link to it here. These are the basic new restrictions. I have highlighted a few points in bold:

Gatherings: All public and private gatherings with individuals not in your household are prohibited, except for faith based services and protests, which are constitutionally protected rights.

Occupancy limits at various businesses; all individuals at these sites are required to wear face coverings and keep at least 6 feet of distance:

Essential retail – 35% maximum occupancy

Non-essential retail (includes indoor malls) – 20% maximum occupancy

Personal care services – 20% maximum occupancy

Libraries – 20% maximum occupancy

Fitness centers operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy

Museums galleries, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy

Mini-golf, batting cages, go-kart racing operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy

Outdoor recreation activities all which require face coverings (except for swimming) and distancing:

Beaches, trails, and parks remain open; gatherings at these sites with members outside your household are prohibited.

Golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball, archery ranges, skate parks, bike parks, and community gardens remain open for individuals or members of a single household. Pools that serve more than one household may open only for regulated lap swimming with one person per lane.

Drive-in movies/events/car parades are permitted provided occupants in each car are members of one household.

Schools:

All schools and day camps remain open adhering to re-opening protocols. K-12 Schools and Day Camps with an outbreak (3 cases or more over 14 days) should close for 14 days.

Closed non-essential businesses/activities:

Playgrounds (with the exception of playgrounds at childcare and schools)

Cardrooms

Does California County’s new restrictions — done for safety– mean that the First Amendment to the US Constitution no longer applies? Have we traded freedom for safety?

Amendment One, Constitution of the United States, 1789:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Has Los Angeles County traded freedom for safety?

Do the citizens of LA County even care anymore?

Will they get either safety or freedom?

Do we even care anymore?

Filed under:
news and opinion

Tags:
Covid-19, First Amendment, Freedom of assembly, Los Angeles County