Happy Sixth Anniversary
On Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., a joint nine-county Public Health shelter-in-place order was issued that required residents to stay home, except for essential workers, and forced the closure of all non-essential businesses. I wasn’t around when this all went down, but I do know it was the catalyst that prompted Bear to start reporting on all that was going on in the City of Alameda. Thus, Bear’s-Eye View was established. This is the sixth anniversary issue of the Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda, and I decided to interview my human companion to get a first-hand account of what it was like back then rather than just show pictures. Here is an excerpt from my interview with my publisher and human companion (HC).
Mouf: When was the first time you knew that the COVID-19 closure thing was a big deal?
HC: It was that first Saturday after the shelter-in-place order. Bear and I were doing the late night three-mile walk and crossed Park Street. There wasn’t a soul walking on the street at 11 p.m. It was very eerie. The next day we went to South Shore Shopping Center for the midday walk. Same deal. Nobody around. The other weird thing that happened that first week was you couldn’t use any of the street waste cans. Never figured that one out.
Mouf: Was Bear aware that things were pretty serious?
HC: Oh yeah. The night after the order went out to close all non-essential businesses, we were on our last walk of the night and passed by Alameda Cellars. We had a tradition of picking up a nightly Snickers candy bar for me and a Tillamook Beef Stick for him. They were closed. He just sat there, nose pushed up against the glass door, whining, and drooling like one of Pavlov’s dogs. It was devastating for him, because as far as he was concerned, Alameda Cellars was an essential business. He was disappointed again on that first Sunday morning when there were no morsels of dropped pastries under Peet’s outside tables.
Mouf: What did you do about food if everything was closed?
HC: Not all businesses were closed. The order only applied to non-essential businesses, so the markets were all open, but only a few people could go into the Marketplace at a time, and everyone had to stand six feet apart and wear a mask. All of the essential employees had to work, and many didn’t have masks. The folks who kept food on the shelves for all of us were the real heroes.
Eventually, the restaurants started opening back up for take out only. I was a frequent flier at Pappo and Asena.
Mouf: If everything was closed, what did people do?
HC: Everyone started walking, and the City closed off some streets so people could walk in the road and maintain the six-foot social distancing recommendation. I was so proud of Bear, because he always wore his mask when we went for walks. There were a number of porch concerts happening almost every night somewhere. I got this portable table, and Bear and I had some great happy hours.
Mouf: What are some of the things Bear reported on in those first months?
HC: Oh! There were many things to see, because people had nothing to do.
There was one person that wrote these words of wisdom in chalk on the sidewalk.
A local artist named Deirdre painted wonderful pictures and put them up all over town.
People put up funny signs too.
Mouf: It must have been a really challenging time for Alamedans. What was the one thing that had the biggest impact on you?
HC: Personally, I really felt sorry for the graduating seniors. No prom. No graduation. No senior trip to Disneyland. (Do seniors still go to Disneyland?) All they got was a lawn sign with their name on it. I know you said one thing, but I need to recognize all those owners that had to close down their businesses. That was a real tragedy. Alameda lost so many businesses. Before he passed, my dad was a regular at the old Lemon Tree bar.
Mouf: Any last thoughts before we wrap this up?
HC: Yes, I have a few. First, I want to honor all those Alamedans and the others who lost their lives to this epidemic. While over 345,000 people died directly from COVID, when using the “excessive deaths” method of determining the number, it comes in at around 650,000, just in 2020.
Next, COVID is still with us, and while vaccines have done a great job of protecting people, there are those who have comorbidities who are at higher risk of serious health outcomes. I will also mention that there are some folks who have something called “Long Covid” who continue to suffer with debilitating conditions like being constantly exhausted and brain fog.
Mouf: Those are some sobering numbers HC, and thanks for reminding us that COVID is still with us.
HC: One last thing I do want to say. Mouf, you have done a great job of filling Bear’s paws when it comes to reporting. When he crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I was sure that was the end of our reports. You have done an amazing job of reporting and dragging me into the 21st century by adding videos and some AI-generated graphics into the reports. Most importantly, I can truly say you are a great friend and I am honored to be your human companion. I also want to give a big shout out to FAAS for bringing us together. They do amazing work. They will always have a place in our hearts.
Mouf: Oh my. I am at a loss for words, HC. I am just so grateful for the opportunity to serve the community, and I will echo your praise for FAAS.
I want to thank my guest, my HC, for taking the time out of his day to chat with me and remind us all on this sixth anniversary edition of the Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda. I will be home in an hour for my walk and dinner.
To all the followers of Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda, THANK YOU for your support over these past six years. You are so appreciated!
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.
