Oceanside residents of ‘active adult’ community disagree about mask mandates

At the Ocean Hills Country Club, where residents play on a no-fee golf course, swim in a heated, salt-water pool, and enjoy a nature preserve, spa and tennis court, a controversy over COVID restrictions is brewing.

Some in the community for active adults age 55 and older are upset that the homeowners association recently decided to recommend — rather than mandate — residents wear masks inside its indoor facilities. The objectors say a mask mandate would better protect immunocompromised seniors living in the 1,632-home, 350-acre development, including some people who have cancer or other serious health issues.

“Nobody dies from wearing a mask; you die from not wearing a mask,” said Jody Gorran, 71, who for months has corresponded with county and state regulators and health officials, trying to get the rules changed for senior residential developments like his to require masks in communal, indoor areas.

San Diego County requires masks to be worn indoors at adult and senior care facilities, regardless of whether people are vaccinated or not.

But California Department of Public Health’s mask regulations do not pertain to facilities like Ocean Hills because it is not an assisted living or skilled nursing facility, said Tim McClain, a spokesperson for San Diego County.

Such senior adult communities are residential communities, which have more flexibility, though they do have the option to adopt more restrictive measures, he said.

The Ocean Hills homeowners association’s board of directors in early August deliberated about whether or not to impose mask mandates for the country club and its other indoor facilities. Most of the seven directors voted to recommend masks instead of requiring them.

Wendy Panizza, general manager of Ocean Hills, explained that the board considered that many residents already are fully vaccinated, and the facility’s policy is that only unvaccinated people are required to wear masks while indoors in the common areas.

“Our policy permits those who are vaccinated to make their own decisions, given the documented effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing serious illness and death,” she said.

In effect, this gives residents the opportunity to access the indoor facilities while exercising their own judgment about maintaining their personal health, Panizza said.

Panizza said the board of directors has the best interests of the community in mind.

Gorran said Panizza has the authority to and should have imposed a mask requirement on everybody, to be safe.
The highly contagious Delta Variant has sickened people who are vaccinated, he noted.

Gorran added that residents pay about $550 a month in HOA fees and yet some cannot use certain amenities if everyone doesn’t wear masks.

“Would someone who is immunocompromised feel comfortable even attempting to enter our clubhouse not having any idea whether everyone inside would be masked to not,” he asked?

Oceanside, CA - August 26: A sign is posted outside of a gym at the Ocean Hills Country Club’s clubhouse on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 in Oceanside, CA. A resident has asked the retirement community to require face masks indoors. The retirement community is for people 55 and older and has more than 1,600 homes according to their website. The community has a shares clubhouse space where those who are not vaccinated are asked to wear masks but folks are not asked to show proof of vaccinations. (Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

(Ana Ramirez/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Kathryn Fitzwilliam, another resident of Ocean Hills, said dozens of residents have said they want stricter mask requirements in high-traffic areas. She added that the average age of residents is 77.

“It’s really irresponsible of our board to not consider the implications of a senior population,” Fitzwilliam said. “We’re not just any population.”

She said she will not use the pool, library, country club or other spaces because her husband is immunocompromised and she does not want to risk his health.

“I believe it’s very important, especially since the efficacy of these vaccines are diminishing and we’re hearing of breakthrough cases of COVID — one of the proven ways of protecting people is to wear masks indoors,” Fitzwilliam said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends older adults with underlying health conditions wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.

Oceanside, CA - August 26: Jody Gorran, 71 , puts on a mask before ending the Ocean Hills Country Club’s clubhouse on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 in Oceanside, CA.

(Ana Ramirez/The San Diego Union-Tribune)