Recent Arlington sidewalk scene. OMG, they’re not even wearing masks! Image credit: ARLnow.com
by James A. Bacon
Apparently, motorcycle riders and MAGA hat wearers are not the only people who resist complying with measures to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Yesterday the Arlington County Board repealed its ordinance restricting sidewalk gatherings after it was met “with defiance, confrontation and hostility,” reports the Washington Post.
The Board enacted the restriction in July at the height of the COVID-19 panic. The ordinance made it illegal for more than three people in a group to congregate in certain areas. The goal was to limit crowding as patrons waited for tables inside occupancy-limited bars and restaurants. The crowding is worst between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
“Arlington police have determined that it is impractical to cite hundreds of violators at night,” said board member Christian Dorsey. “They have prioritized encouraging compliance and have not issued a single citation. I don’t see any reason to continue having something on the books that clearly doesn’t work.”
The COVID case rate in Arlington County has ticked higher this month, which county health officer Travis Gayles attributes to residents becoming less diligent about wearing masks and observing social distancing, and to gathering in large groups over the weekend.
Reminder: 76% of Arlington County voters cast ballots for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Also, the people congregating on sidewalks between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. skew younger, and young people tilt to the left of the political spectrum.
I’m betting this will never become a national story like the Sturgis motorcycle rally. Any takers?
