WesternBass Answers the Question

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WB Staff
Posts: 12504
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:56 am

WesternBass Answers the Question

Post by WB Staff »

WesternBass got a question about why we are allowing people to post fishing pix or videos of fishing when there is a stay at home order.

We want to answer this publicly, in case there are others wondering the same thing


First of all, thank you to all who support the site! We are here because of you and our advertisers.

Secondly, yes we do know there are "stay at home" orders. The orders may seem clear to some and to others there is a broad range of interpretation. Maybe to some that means STAY AT HOME ONLY. To others it does not

Here is what we mean...

If you want to review it, here is an example of a San Joaquin County order from March 26 that preceeds the March 21 order

https://www.sjgov.org/WorkArea/Download ... x?id=32463


ALL INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE COUNTY TO STAY AT HOME OR AT
THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE EXCEPT THAT THEY MAY LEAVE TO
PROVIDE OR RECEIVE CERTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES OR ENGAGE
IN CERTAIN ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES
AND WORK FOR ESSENTIAL
BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES; EXEMPTING
INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FROM THIS ORDER
BUT URGING THEM TO FIND SHELTER AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
TO PROVIDE IT; DIRECTING ALL BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCIES TO CEASE NON-ESSENTIAL OPERATIONS AT PHYSICAL
LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTY; PROHIBITING ALL NON-ESSENTIAL
GATHERINGS OF ANY NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS; AND ORDERING
CESSATION OF ALL NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL

For this explanation we colored red ENGAGE IN CERTAIN ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES

In the beginning of Section 3 of this order it says

All individuals currently living within the County of San Joaquin (the "County")
are ordered to stay at home or place of residence. To the extent individuals
are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably
possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person
when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residences
only for Essential Activities as defined in Section 11,
or to work as and
Essential Critical Infrastructure Worker as defined by the State Public Health
Officer. Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Section,
but are strongly urged to obtain shelter.

Again we colored red the essential activiies info and below please see section 11

For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only
to perform "Essential Activities." But people at high risk of severe
illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay at
home or place of residence to the extent possible except as necessary
to seek medical care. "Essential Activities" are limited to the
following:

i. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health
and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or
household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such
as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining
medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care
professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.
ii. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their
family or household members, or to deliver those services or
supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without
limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables,
pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other
household consumer products, and products necessary to
maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of
residences.
iii. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals
comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in
this Section, such as, by way of example and without
limitation, walking, hiking, biking, running or equestrian
activities. Do not use park or playground
equipment.


Again we colored red the ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES portion

WB cannot police who is at severe risk of COVID, so we assume that if you are out of your house and fishing, you've determined that for yourself.

We also see that outdoor activities are deemed essential by section 11 iii.

We understand others have different views on outdoor activities and aren't here to debate those views or differences in county by county orders, An individual's choice to fish as an outdoor activity as long as they are complying with social distancing seems to be in compliance with orders we have seen barring the state of Washington, which put a statewide ban on fishing.

Washington Ban: post633433.html?hilit=washington#p633433

As far as we understand this hasn't occured anywhere else.

Yes, some fisheries are closed in certain places, some are not. Some launch ramps are some are not. Some parking lots are, some are not and maybe even some banks are but others are not.

We wish that those who are able to fish, while complying with the order relevant to them, good luck and tight lines! For the rest of us, we can still talk fishing, so lets get to it.
JL
Posts: 574
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:40 am

Re: WesternBass Answers the Question

Post by JL »

Thank you for that response! :D
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