A ‘dry’ St. Patrick’s Day in SLO County? That’s just what the doctor ordered

It’s an extreme measure all right, but banning alcohol sales in bars and restaurants on St. Patrick’s Day was a smart move on the part of San Luis Obispo County officials.

It may even save lives by slowing down the spread of coronavirus.

So far, there have been three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in San Luis Obispo County, and that number is expected to rise.

It’s definitely not the time to be sitting shoulder-to-shoulder at a local pub, sipping Irish whiskey — or green beer — and belting out a few verses “Oh Danny Boy.” And on a day when everyone’s Irish, after a few beers who’s going to worry about social distancing? It’s hugs all around!

Keep in mind, St. Patrick’s Day has become a huge event with local students. Many start hitting the bars early in the day and go on drinking into the wee hours.

They’ve been known to be rambunctious — so much so that the city of SLO raises fines for drinking- and noise-related violations on and around March 17.

While most partiers in downtown SLO are college-age — a demographic that has not been hard hit by the virus — they can become infected and pass the virus on to others who are much more vulnerable.

And it’s not just students out having fun on St. Patty’s Day.

For years, the Village of Arroyo Grande has hosted an impromptu “funeral” parade led by bagpipers. The rag-tag parade, mostly made up of patrons dressed in green t-shirts, goes from Ralph & Duane’s pub to Bill’s Place, a bar located across the street.

Revelers used to paint a green stripe down the main street of town to park the parade route. After complaints from the city, it was replaced with green tape.

Not this year. Both bars have shut down. So have bars elsewhere in the county, including McCarthy’s in downtown San Luis Obispo.

The prohibition on alcohol sales began at 5 p.m. Friday and won’t be lifted until noon on Wednesday. Violators risk being charged with a misdemeanor.

There will no doubt be plenty of private parties; no government agency has the power to stop those.

So wear the green, haul out those shamrock garlands, cook up your colcannon — and invite a few friends over.

But if you’re going to raise a glass to the Irish, please drink responsibly and maintain that social distance.