Surfers, stop hugging! You’re not immune from COVID, and you’re putting SLO County at risk

Surfers, what are you thinking?

You are acting like covidiots by gathering in groups, zipping up each other’s wet suits, even hugging, for crying out loud.

It’s not all of you, of course ... but enough that it’s been noticed.

So please cut it out.

Isn’t it enough that several trails, parks and campgrounds are closed? You want the beaches shut down, too?

Don’t think it won’t happen.

Pirate’s Cove near Avila Beach was closed because people couldn’t keep their distance.

That risks further spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 23,000 Americans — the highest death toll in the world.

So far, San Luis Obispo County — and all of California, for that matter — has been fortunate. We haven’t seen the huge spike in cases that’s devastating other areas, like New York and New Jersey.

But we can’t afford to be complacent, and that’s exactly what’s been happening in some communities.

Check out what Cayucos resident Danna Dykstra-Coy wrote on her Facebook page about surfers:

“Sorry you can’t park to surf in Morro Bay or at Cayucos Pier anymore. So now you’re driving up to park and surf at the Cayucos residential spots. Sorry you don’t like local surfers asking you to stop hanging out in groups on the street afterwards — why do y’all have to hug and spread that virus in plain view? I get you think social distancing is stupid. But now that the sheriff’s deputies have started warning you, the next step after a few repeat sheriff warnings is signage and then shutting down the beach.

“Maybe try sheltering in your hometown? You can hug there all day and no one will bother you. It’s not all but a few who disrespect that sadly will ruin it for everyone. End of rant.”

The single post resonated, earning dozens of “likes” and comments like this one: “There are people who refuse to believe there is an epidemic. They refuse to understand that even though they don’t have any symptoms, they may be spreading the disease. I call them the walking, brain-dead coronaidiots.”

But let’s not just pick on surfers.

One letter writer who lives across the street from Cal Poly says there are still parties going on in her neighborhood, and she still sees soccer games on nearby fields.

Parties, seriously? That’s the height of covidiocy.

Cal Poly spokesman Matt Lazier says off-campus parties come under the jurisdiction of the city. As for on-campus sports facilities, the university has closed courts on campus in response to “frequent, large gatherings,” and university police are issuing trespassing citations to violators.

“As you likely know, communities everywhere are dealing with people who are failing to abide by social distancing guidelines,” Lazier said in an email. “Cal Poly is no different.”

And it’s not just Poly students.

On Monday, a call came over the police scanner about nine people playing basketball in Nipomo.

Because it’s kind of difficult to play lockdown defense from six feet away, it’s safe to say they were violating social distancing rules.

As long as we’re talking sports, what’s up with those covidiot golfers?

They think that since they’re outside in the fresh air, it’s OK to be up-close and chummy? Nope. In fact, early on the county discussed possibly having to close golf courses if people couldn’t keep their social distance.

Look golfers, you have plenty of room to spread out. Take advantage off it.

Moving on to cyclists, runners and walkers: Great exercise! And we’re fortunate to have lots of wide open spaces where you won’t run into crowds.

Except ... the popular (and narrow) Bob Jones Trail in Avila Beach is not one of them.

It’s nearly impossible to stay six feet apart when you’re surrounded by roller-bladers, 5-year-old bicycle riders, dog walkers and runners pushing humongous baby strollers.

It’s not so bad on weekdays, but it gets super crowded on weekends.

We’d hate to see the trail close completely, but if it gets too congested on weekends, it’s better to shut it down or somehow limit the number of users than to risk further spread of coronavirus.

Or, how about a little self-policing?

If you can hit Bob Jones during the week, go then, and find somewhere else to go on weekends.

On the golf course, unless you’re in the same household, use separate carts.

And remember, a wet suit does not offer immunity from COVID-19.

So go ahead and nod, wave or say hello to your buddies on the beach or the golf course or the bike trail — from a proper distance.

But absolutely no hugging, handshakes or high-fives — unless you want to wipe out the progress we’ve made against a killer disease.