Guest column: Lemoore writer says we don't need playground police!

I wish our community leaders would ask the people to give more input about how we want to live with this virus. If they did, they would realize we are ready to make decisions ourselves. We don’t need playground police telling us to stay off the swings and slides. And the police have communicated that they don't want to enforce our playtime. If we don’t want them overreaching, and they don’t want to enforce it, then why are we doing it? 

As far as I can tell, our leaders feel like they have no choice but to follow the California Department of Public Health’s guidelines. The director of the CDPH, Erica Pan, released a new order on December 3rd which argues that counties like ours need to revert to a stay-at-home order. I disagree with most of the order, but one part I agree with has to do with outdoor playgrounds. The order specifically says, “Outdoor recreation facilities may continue to operate.” Now, are we supposed to believe that playgrounds are not included? I’m not writing this to get upset at our city leaders. My point is to focus on the facts and find a positive solution. The CDPH says keep the playgrounds open, so why are we closing them? 

I hope our leaders will listen. I hope the caution tape is taken down as soon as they read this, but just in case it’s not, I think it is time we stopped watching from the sidelines. We need a place where people can voice their concerns. I’m not sure what the best venue for that is, but I am willing to get the ball rolling. Drop me a line and hopefully, our leaders will respond (timothydinkins@gmail.com).

Contributed by Tim Dinkins of Lemoore