Governor Newsom – Please Order all Court Buildings in the State of California Closed starting March 16

The inconsistent approach of local, state and federal governments in response to the COVID-19, or new coronavirus, pandemic is beyond disappointing. By closing certain establishments such as public schools and failing to close others such as court buildings, the new coronavirus outbreak will likely continue to spread rapidly.  The following represents my reasoning as to why court buildings in the State of California should be closed starting March 16 through at least March 31.

Mayor Garcetti says the next 2 weeks are crucial or what’s happening in Italy “will happen here”

This quote is directly from a recent article which can be found here.  Mayor Garcetti went on to say “…practice that social distancing, stay home if you’re sick.”  How can any person stay 6 feet apart from each and everyone in a court building? Better yet, how can any person prevent another person from violating the 6 foot rule? The situation in Italy is scary and worsening by the second according to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Map.  Cases in the U.S. are on the rise and are likely to follow a pattern similar to Italy or China, rather than Japan or Singapore.

Mayor Garcetti says “Many People Will Get COVID-19”

If many people will get COVID-19 and Mayor Garcetti urges Los Angeles to practice social distancing, then why hasn’t he ordered court buildings in Los Angeles to be closed until at least March 31?

Governor Newsom orders statewide cancellation of gatherings over 250 people

A court building operating in Los Angeles would be in direct violation of Governor Newsom’s order because more than 250 people will likely be in a court building at any given time.  Will the number of people allowed in the court building be monitored and limited to 250 people? I doubt it.

President Trump declared the new coronavirus pandemic a national emergency

Well, if that isn’t supposed to set the tone for state and local governments, then I don’t know what is supposed to.  In addition to unleashing billions of dollars to state and local governments to response to the crisis, he imposed restrictions on travel to the United States from European countries, including the UK and Ireland, with limited exceptions. 

France and Spain are following Italy into lockdown – the U.S. should do the same

France is shutting down all restaurants, cafes, theatres and nonessential shops, and encouraging its citizens to stay home as much as possible, in an attempt to stop the rapid spread of the new coronavirus according to this article.

Other courts are closing in wake of the new coronavirus

The San Diego Superior Court system will be postponing all civil jury trials for the next 30 days in order to meet state health guidelines according to this article and the Contra Costa County Superior Court will be temporarily closed at all locations through the end of March according to this article.

There is no other option – Governor Newsom must order all court buildings in the State of California closed starting March 16

If President Trump has declared a national emergency, Governor Newsom has ordered statewide cancellation of gatherings over 250 people, Mayor Garcetti says “Many People will get COVID-19” and “the next 2 weeks are crucial or what’s happening in Italy will happen here,” France and Spain are following Italy into lockdown, other courts are closing in wake of the new coronavirus, then Governor Newsom must order all court buildings, and perhaps even restaurants, cafes, theatres and nonessential shops, in the State of California closed starting March 16 through at least March 31 while the new coronavirus pandemic plays out.  Any other response is completely illogical. 

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