By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Normally, family members and friends don’t spend leisurely afternoons on the beach talking about antibodies, herd immunity and social distancing.
But the conversation between Lisa Kammerer, her daughter, Lauren Kammerer, and their friend, Carolyn Christy, was interspersed with those medical terms while they were lounging in their beach chairs just a few feet from the ocean in Sea Isle City on Saturday.
They were also discussing what a great time they were having just by being able to get outside to enjoy the shore after essentially being locked down – along with everyone else – for nearly two months during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Amazing,” Lauren exclaimed.
“Liberating,” Carolyn added.
Then Lisa chimed in.
“We can finally get out and socialize,” Lisa said. “We can see the sand, hear the seagulls and get back to being normal again.”
Lisa, Lauren and Carolyn all were dressed for the beach. Yet they also had something else with them to wear if needed: face masks to protect them from COVID-19 if any strangers ventured too close.
“People have distanced themselves,” Lisa said. “I feel safe. I don’t need to put the mask on.”
Lisa Kammerer, 56, lives in Allentown, Pa., while Lauren, 28, and Carolyn, 27, both live in Philadelphia.
They came to Sea Isle for a weekend getaway to escape the stress of the coronavirus crisis.
“After the long winter, after this virus and after being trapped at home, this is like the best first day of a vacation we could possibly have,” Lisa said.
Joining with other communities at the Jersey Shore, Sea Isle reopened its beaches last weekend for limited activity, such as walking, jogging and fishing. Starting Saturday, however, sunbathing, sitting in chairs, lying on towels and swimming were allowed as long as people practiced social distancing.
The public address system on the oceanfront Promenade included an announcement from Mayor Leonard Desiderio imploring people to stay safe.
“Keeping six feet apart will keep everyone safe, so please practice social distancing,” Desiderio said in a message over the loudspeakers.
A large banner attached to the railing along the Promenade reinforced that message. It included an arrow depicting the safe distance people should remain apart and the words, “This is what 6 feet looks like.”
“Please keep social distance,” the banner also said. “Do your part – stay 6 ft. apart.”
There were big crowds in some sections of Sea Isle’s beachfront, but people seemed to be observing social distancing guidelines for the most part. A gorgeous day with temperatures in the 70s helped to draw people to the shore.
For the shore towns, this weekend is serving as a dress rehearsal to prepare for the surge of visitors expected to arrive during Memorial Day weekend, the traditional kickoff of the summer tourism season.
Kathy McFarland, who works during the summer as a Sea Isle beach tag inspector, was lounging on the sand Saturday with her husband, Jim. She noted that things will be dramatically different when inspectors begin checking people for their beach tags over the Memorial Day weekend.
“When I go to work next Saturday, we will be wearing masks and gloves,” McFarland said of the beach tag inspectors.
Sea Isle police officers were wearing masks while patrolling the Promenade on bicycle.
Beachgoers Colin McGroarty and his wife, Lisa, of Berwyn, Pa., pointed out that they had their masks ready to wear if they were needed.
“When the tide was going out, we had more space on the beach. But people are staying apart,” Colin said.
Colin and Lisa’s daughter, Julia, 6, and their son, Jason, 4, had fun splashing in the chilly ocean. Their parents joined them in the water during what was a “normal” beach day, despite the pandemic.
“It’s wonderful to be outside. We’ve been trapped inside forever,” Lisa said. “It’s been a relief to have a glimpse of what’s normal.”
