The process of reopening in the city of San Diego and around the county is shifting into high gear this week.
Tuesday, San Diego opened all of its piers and boardwalks, and parking lots at the beach are now all open.
It was also the warmest day so far of 2020, a perfect day to hit the beach or to enjoy the now-reopened pier at Ocean Beach, and that’s just what thousands of people did.
“I just have felt housebound so long, I couldn’t wait to get out. It was wonderful today," said lifelong San Diegan Sue Harris.
Harris, along with her friend and her son were enjoying the now-officially open boardwalk at Mission Beach. She had her mask with her, but she wasn’t wearing it.
“Out in the fresh air, I just can’t believe anything could live through this ocean water," she said.
RELATED: Campgrounds, Sport Fishing Get OK To Reopen In San Diego County
Her son Bart Harris told KPBS the reaction to COVID-19 is overblown and political.
But Joann Carcioppolo does not think the threat posed by COVID-19 is overblown. She and her friend were wearing their masks. Still, like Bart Harris and his mom, they were enjoying the day too.
“Tomorrow my sister in law and I are gonna come out and do bike rides along the bay that I miss so much. I used to come out on a weekly basis and I’m looking forward to that a lot," she said.
Just a few steps from Mission Beach, we talked to the owner of Kojack's restaurant, Mike Soltan. He was able to keep his business even though he said he felt like he was drowning over the last several weeks. Now, he’s hopeful.
“I think we can make it finally with this opening a lot of stuff, the parking lot, the boardwalk, everything," Soltan said.
The EMS medical director for San Diego Fire & Rescue, Dr. Chris Kahn, said everyone should remember the virus is still here and it’s still spreading.
“We know that viruses often come in waves and the fact that we’re reopening right now doesn’t necessarily mean that everything’s all better," he said.
On Friday, we’ll take another big step in the reopening process with gyms, hotels, bars and wineries, museums, galleries, the zoo and aquariums among other places.
