Dear HParkers,

I know that we all are tired of being home, that we need to take the kids out and walk the dog... Yes, of course. But please keep using common sense and maintain more than 6 feet from everyone else! There are too many people -and too close together- especially around the park entrance and the reservoir. This is NOT a drill. This is a pandemic. We shoudln't be walking in big groups, we shouldn't be enjoying the sun sitting next to several people. And yes, it is no fun.

We have to stop the spread of coronavirus. WE ARE NOT READY to cope with a massive infection of the population, we don't have enough medical equipment, masks, gloves, respirators, hospital beds, you name it. Even if we are healthy and strong and young and the virus might not affect us that much, we don't want to infect the most vulnerable people (think older parents, grandparents, anyone with a chronic condition).

Imagine if, instead of being locked up for two weeks we have to be locked up for several months because we fail to prevent the spread of the virus. What will that do to our lifes, our kids, our economy? It is going to be bad enough, lets try to make it as easier as it can be. Try going for your walk at different times, try going out earlier, or try roads with fewer people or side streets...After all, we have pretty flexible schedules right now, don't we?

This is a wonderful community and I know we are not the only ones to use the park, but if we keep ignoring the call to social distance we will only force the authorities to close the parks and to monitor everyone outside in the streets, as it is already happening in Italy and Spain (and likely soon in NY).

Lets get through this together. Enjoy as much as you can but be safe, please.

Thanks!

Mayte Sáenz