Westport in the coronavirus crisis: scenes from yesterday and today.
Empty chairs at Longshore (Photo/Sandy Rothernberg)
Social distancing at the beach (Photo/Bob Weingarten)
Empty Compo Beach pavilion (Photo/Sarah Menninger)
One of the final days for dogs on the beach (Photo/Sophie Pollman)
With drive-thru service only, Starbucks’ line was long (Photo/Robert Hauck)
A plea for help (Photo/Jen Kobetitsch)
Westport’s Unitarian Church (Photo/David Vita)
Posted in Beach, Local business, Longshore, Pic of the Day, religion
Tagged Compo Beach, Furniture on Consignment, Starbucks, Unitarian Church
Around noon …
… and a couple of hours later.
First selectman Jim Marpe says:
First of all, thank you to all our Westport residents for your cooperation during these unprecedented times.
Many of you have self-isolated in order to flatten the curve and curb the spread of COVID-19. I appreciate your actions.
Unfortunately, we believe you will need to do even more for the foreseeable future. Given the early spring-like weather, many of you have taken advantage of our beautiful Compo Beach and have congregated there.
We must remind you that congregating, even outdoors, in small or large groups, is contradictory to the advice of our Health Department leadership.
As a practical matter, we cannot close the entire access to Compo Beach. However, we will be closing the playground at Compo Beach and the parking lots at Compo Beach and Burying Hill beach until further notice.
Whether you are using the beaches or just trying to get out of the house for a while, please do everything you can to practice social distancing and self-isolation.
Together we can minimize the impact of this terrible virus on our community. We have to work together and use common sense. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in these difficult times.
You can still go to Compo Beach. But the playground and parking lot are closed. (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)
Posted in Beach, Local politics
Tagged Burying Hill Beach, Compo Beach, Compo Beach playground, First Selectman Jim Marpe
Today was the 2nd day of “indefinite closure” for the Westport schools.
This scene in the Mastrocciolo home — with Bedford Middle School 6th grader Bianca and Coleytown Elementary 1st grader Justin — was no doubt similar to many others around town.
(Photos/Stephanie Mastocciolo)
Meanwhile, early spring-like weather — and the TGIF end of a very stressful weak — drew a large crowd to Compo Beach.
Alert “06880” reader Jo Shields Sherman reports there were many people walking between Elvira’s and the entrance gate. Some gathered in small groups to talk — being careful to keep “social distance.”
The sight took her breath away (in a good way!) “Aha!” she thought. “This is where everyone is. Friendliness and kindness seem to abound. And of course the dogs are happy.”
(Photos/Jo Shields Sherman)
Posted in Children, Education, Pic of the Day
Walking the dog at Compo Beach (Photo/Larry Untermeyer)
Compo Beach clouds, this morning (Photo/Jimmy Izzo)
Beaches and water in winter, by drone — thank you, Brandon Malin!
Cockenoe Island
Compo Beach
Old Mill Beach and Compo Cove
Burying Hill Beach (Drone photos/Brandon Malin)
Posted in Beach, Pic of the Day
Tagged Burying Hill Beach, Cockenoe Island, Compo Beach, Compo Cove, Old Mill Beach
Early morning dog walk at Compo (Photo/Jimmy Izzo)
Compo Beach at dusk (Photo/Jim Hood)
Compo Beach tree (Photo/Amy Schneider)
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