Coronavirus cases are soaring all over the country. The beaches in LA are closed. That means more people will be coming to San Diego’s beaches. I am 20 years old and I know many of my peers underestimate or simply don’t care enough about the virus to socially distance and wear masks( to those who do- my sincere thanks). A one day experience for young people is not worth lives taken in the next weeks. I am begging you- please help keep the vulnerable people in our community safe. Let’s honor the Fourth of July by showing our unity as a community and act to keep each other safe. 

I would like to take a moment to describe the people who are the reason I created this petition.

In 7th grade, I was given a school project that told me to find someone resilient, interview them and write a poem. I asked my mom if I could interview her because going through medical school must have been hard. She laughed and said if you want to meet someone who is truly resilient, just knock on that house two blocks up. That is precisely what I did. I cannot imagine being on the other side of that door and hearing, “Hi, I’m Anne. I live down the street and my mom said you’re resilient. Can I make a poem about you?”. He took my strange request and invited me inside. Fast Forward two months, and he came to my school to hear me present the poem. It was and is one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had. From that bloomed a really great friendship- from dinners with family, game nights, concerts and more- they became family. One day, just a couple years ago, I introduced this man and his wife to some friends. The wife said, “oh yeah, we’re close. I feel like I am her second moth- aunt.” I interjected that she felt like a second mom to me as well. Today, COVID-19 would be deadly- due to paralysis any respiratory infection would be life-threatening. 

On the other side of my block, there is a very nice couple. I am a dog lover and would stop them on their walks and hug their dogs for inordinately long amounts of time. Eventually, they got two new puppies and said I could come over anytime. I took them up on their offer, perhaps to a much larger extent than they had intended. But they let me play with the dogs, train the dogs and throw birthday parties. Today they are precious friends and are at risk due to COVID-19.

We have two tortoises. They love hibiscus flowers so throughout my life I’ve always snuck a few flowers off some bushes. When I was probably about 10 years old, I found a bag and note on the porch. The bag was full of flowers and the note said “Take as many as you want. We don’t need them- from the house down the street. We’d love to say hi when you stop by.” At first I was a little embarrassed but once I met them I felt right at home. They were truly just super kind people who are some of the most selfless people I know. Due to old age, they are at risk of COVID-19. 

My parents befriended a lady in my neighborhood when I was little. She swims in the ocean everyday and is my fashion icon. Every year, on Christmas, Easter, St. Patrick’s day, Valentine's Day and our birthdays she would deliver candy or gifts to me and my brother. She would always have a huge bag on the back of her bike, us being one of many stops she makes in the neighborhood. One funny story I have is that every year on the 4th of July, she would bring us a plate of cookies. I only found this out last year.  On the 4th my dad waits by the porch to snag up all the cookies. The rest of the family never knew- for nineteen years. And yes, they were that good. Due to age (although she still looks so fashionable) she is at risk from COVID-19. 

My mom and I really wanted to learn how to knit. A lady across the street had made some gorgeous blankets so we knocked on her door and asked her to teach us. She was not only willing, but very excited. The lessons only lasted a few weeks- my mom and I would mess up and then she’d undo all the rows until we could fix the mistake. She was so patient and caring and although the lessons did not last, our friendship did. She is at risk.

Another lady on my block judges photographs at the Del Mar Fair each summer. My mom raves about the cinnamon rolls there all the time. So when her obsession eventually became known to this lady, she handed us four fair tickets and told my mom to get a couple cinnamon rolls. Every year since then we will find four tickets in our mailbox. She also helps me with my gardening when I have to do chores. Without her advice, all those plants would have died long ago. She is at risk of COVID- 19. 

I owe these people so much for all of their selflessness. They are family and any one of them getting sick would be devastating. These people are only a few of those at risk. Please help me keep these precious people safe.