Fireworks show canceled in Mission Viejo per Governor’s recommendation

Science shows that people outdoors distanced reasonably are not passing it along. Closing events like this and beaches just makes people question authority. Closing the bars makes sense, not having a fireworks show makes no sense.

So disappointing! This control is absurd! Taking out rights and freedom away! Gov’s agenda..

Sad to see that our freedoms continue being stripped away from us by Newsom.

This is absurd. So disappointed caving to a tyrant. Next thing y’all will cancel Halloween and Christmas. Actual #’s and where they are coming from don’t support this.

Thank you to our mayor and city council for making a wise decision. Let’s all be Americans and do unto others as we would want them to do for us.

This is so stupid. On Independence Day? Really? We were looking forward to watching the fireworks from our neighborhood -- thousands of feet away! Now we're going to have to search for somewhere else to celebrate.

This is a decision NOT based on any scientific evidence and you all know it. My family is NOT at greater risk of this virus by watching fireworks. This is an utterly baseless overreach by a city that is out of control.

How depressing! Crazy watching the one holiday that symbolizes freedom get canceled. Truly says it all!
I’m sorry you guys are in office right now and having to deal with all the stress of our governors ridiculous decisions!

As sad as I am about this, I do think it a wise choice.

Once again you have shown what a bunch of cowards you are. You all need to be voted out as soon as possible.

While disappointing this isn't unexpected. Unfortunately people do not understand how to properly wear masks, wash their hands and socially distance themselves from others. While some people know how to socially distance, the high numbers of infection and the fact that our hospitals have zero empty hospital beds prove that a lot of people just don't get it yet.

Until this happens, we can look forward to many other events being cancelled. People will die and our economy will continue to suffer until everyone understands this isn't a hoax, it isn't the government trying to control us and this isn't "Just the Flu". Wearing a mask isn't a political statement, it's to protect others from getting infected. If people want things to "go back to normal" then they need to listen to the medical professionals and stay informed by science and facts.

Be SMART:
Practice SOCIAL Distancing.
Wear a MASK.
ALWAYS wash your Hands, often.
READ and educate yourself on the latest developments.
TELL others to be SMART!

Canceled? OMG. At least try to spell it correctly.

If you’re concerned, don’t go outside. Don’t take away what hold dear. This is our day to celebrate, we deserve our fireworks. We’ve given up so much because of this crap, give us our fireworks. I of course blame our governor. He’s pathetic. Please reconsider. You don’t have to listen to him. Give your citizens something to look forward to. Give us something positive. Give us our fireworks.

Newsom needs to be recalled. Power hungry! Seriously, fireworks in the sky. We could all enjoy them from a distance.

I'm a 76 year old Vietnam veteran, widowed. Lived in M.V. since 1976. If the people running this city are going to submit to Newsome's absurd political mandates, then perhaps it's time for a change? Research the statistics, not the political hyperbole.

Thus is all politics. It had been from the beginning. We are an independent city. We do not have to abide by a recommendation. Our freedoms are being stripped away daily.
Gavin Newsone is a liberal who released prisoners from jail but won’t let you practice your constitutional rights if freedom if assembly. He is dangerous. How e we I’ll citizens enjoying our liberty watching fireworks with our friends and family hurting anyone. It is despicable. A sad day. wake up Orange County. Get rid of the liberal politicians. If choose to expose myself to s anything it is my choice. Wake up.

Our governor is out of control and using emergency powers to keep churches closed and take our freedoms away. The data shows that the 30-40 group that did not wear mask and maintain social distance at protest caused the spikes. Small business and American tradition are not our problem. Cancelling the 4th fireworks places into the governor’s effort to push fear, control us., and destroy our nation/economy.

It was simply a recommendation, people. Do you do everything that Commie in Sacramento recommends? What good are you? Voters will remember this at the polls. If you can allow protesters in our city, you can certainly allow our nation's Independence Day celebration by lighting off fireworks. All you had to do was prevent people from parking near the sports park where you set them off. People could have enjoyed them from their homes or they could have walked over or have taken a Uber or Lyft. This really is a PATHETIC response by our city "leaders". You need to show some backbone and use some logic instead of just doing the goose step every time Newsom opens his mouth.

Disappointing but necessary in that many are ignoring common sense social distancing and masking when appropriate. I have seen the lousy behavior at the beach, the supermarket and other places as well. We desperately need to get back to business financially as a society but everybody continues to whine about the politics rather than being smart. If everybody would have stepped up their game on simply wearing a mask in the first place then Newsome would not have had to play the strong hand. I am NOT a Democrat! I agree that he needs to go. I simply have too many people that I personally know that were healthy, no underlying conditions and were substantially stricken and several came so close to dying that their spouse was notified to prepare for it.

Time for new leadership in Mission Viejo. This is an insult to our vets and our country. Time for leaders with some backbone!

Thank you to the adults in the room.
This was just an attractive nuisance for crowds lacking social distancing and was surely going to spread COVID-19 to Mission Viejo citizens.
Almost all other cities had already cancelled their fireworks shows.
How many were to die from holding a fireworks show? 10? 20? 100s? 1000s?
Someone has to be an adult during this pandemic to save lives.

Thank you Christine B. for being a voice of reason, you are not alone. May you and your family stay safe in these uncertain times.

Good. See you all next year.

And to all of you that are crying "Freedoms" when you really mean "convenience," check your privilege. I'm sorry Covid-19 isn't bad enough for you and I'm sure the 120K and counting dead people and their families really feel for your loss.

How does cancelling an 30 minute aerial fireworks display launched from the baseball fields help prevent the virus spread? Are you kidding me!
By definition it can be seen from a distance so people do not have to gather! This needs to be reversed and the show go on.

So disappointing, we were looking forward to watching the fireworks from out backyard. This is still the Fourth of July, it will be so dull. I thought the park was to be closed, no people, no cars, the fireworks could still go on. With everything going on, so depressing, this would have brighten up our day.

This is RIDICULOUS and a bad decision. All the City had to do is send this same announcement that NO ONE would be allowed in the park where the fireworks were being set off and that Everyone should Stay home and watch them IN THE SKY from a distance. Newsom closed bars, not fireworks. Why is Mission Viejo over reacting? I agree with the person who said we need new representation. Everyone needs some cheering up during this pandemic and that would have been a safe way to do it.

Christine B - what world are you living in? There are no hospitals in OC with zero available beds. Not even close.

As to this decision, it is too bad that our city 'leaders' are so inclined to follow the spurious 'recommendations' of the power mad Newsom. We need courage and inspiration not cowardice in these difficult times. Unfortunately, political correctness is the watchword in MV.

Shame on us for electing these people.

Thank you for helping to slow the spread of covid.
we love our fireworks and so do thousands of others who participate. There would be no way to social distance.

To all u out there crazy right wingers.... understand this: not wearing masks is not your rights being stripped....it is like driving 100 miles an hour, drunk....you get to jail cause you can kill people. President Trump is not leading and is the worst president we ever had. Our Governor was very smart in his decision.

While many will be disappointed, the city's decision is a correct one. Watching July 4 fireworks crowds for many, many years, I know there would be no way to maintain social distance. Unfortunately, a majority of MV residents still do not wear masks. Both of these would contribute to increasing COVID infections. Thank you Mission Viejo for making the right decision however unpopular it may be with some.

Please wake up to the reality of what is going on all over our country. People are dying because of those who are so selfish not to see the numbers of those affected by this novel virus going up. Now younger people are falling ill and suffering affects that will be with them a lifetime. People with cancer and other serious illnesses are in harms way. There will always be another 4th of July when we can celebrate with fireworks.
We can celebrate safely and keep our loved ones safe as well.
Think of those in the health field who are sacrificing so much for all of us! We owe them our gratitude and be willing to follow the science.

Is this decision from the same people who desided to extend their own terms without a vote? All of you should be cancelled. Oh and learn to spell. Oh wait, you shut the schools too.

Stop drinking the Kool Aid
Today’s shutdown and “recommendations” have been carefully planned out to interfere with Independence Day and anything patriotic.
Take off the mask, slap yourself in the face and wake up.
I agree with my fellow community members- MV government take a stand and stop caving into every ridiculous demand. Let adults and families make their own choices.
I’m disgusted with the lack of leadership
We do not need instruction on how to wash our hands- where to stand and what to place on our faces- what’s next?
We do need arbitrary decisions on what can and can’t be open- it makes zero sense that one business can be open and another closed. If you choose to wear a mask- do so - it’s your prerogative. But It’s not your place to decide the same for me or anyone else.

Freedom Over Fear

What will happen to all the fireworks that the City purchased? Will they simply be destroyed?

Surely cancelling this display will encourage some residents to have uncontrolled fireworks on their own properties thus creating more of a fire hazard?

To me it seems reasonable to go forward with this event and just control the typical gathering spots. There are so many places to see this event other than packing people together by the lake. Many hills in Mission Viejo offer good site lines without crowds. Heck, even going up on your roof is an option for most. The fireworks still explode in the sky, correct?

So protest marches can go on on the streets of Mission Viejo for days, but we can't have 30 minutes to celebrate our nation's Declaration of Independence? If this was 1776 the council would be bowing to the king of England.

Thank you. Public Health is more important than entertainment. True leadership is making tough decisions that may not be popular at the time but history will prove correct.

GOOD NEWS!!! The 4th of July is not cancelled. We can still take the day and celebrate the birth of our nation. It is our chance to be creative. Have a BBQ, or cook a fun meal with family or a friend. Decorate your house or front yard. Show your patriotism. Buy some "poppers" at your local Mission Viejo stores. Do not worry, Fireworks will come back.

It is sad to see these things cancelled; but it is for the greater good. The idea that our Constitutional rights only protect the few is the greatest misunderstanding of our Bill of Rights yet. If we had better leadership we might understand it better, but surely we care about dealing with something we have NEVER had to deal with before. Let us care about each other enough to give up some of the 'Norms' now so we can again embrace our freedoms in 2021 (if we do it right now).
and thank you to all our health care providers, to all who are continuing to serve us in delivery, mail, power company employees, and right down to each of us who wears a mask, keeps at least 6 feet apart, and so forth. WE CAN DO THIS

Stop with the "Social Distancing" crap! Its Physical Distancing we are practicing, and Social Distancing is what we are doing by chatting with each other through technology! The Fireworks Show could have been enjoyed from ones car, patio or backyard! We are supposed to be adults and independent thinkers! We do not need to be "told" anything! "Recommended" is not law, nor is it a mandate! These wearing masks for as long and as much as these idiots up in Sacramento say we are to wear them ...will bring other health issues down the line...its inevitable! Thank you Democrats,CDC, and WHO for hurting healthy peoples lung capacity, by continuously breathing in fibers from face masks and coverings; not even doctors, nurse nor anyone in the medical profession use masks for as long as we are being told to wear them! Yet...there is still no cure for the common cold.

Lots of interesting comments here. What strikes me is the hyperbole on both sides. Either you’re a Trump-loving right-wing wacko who refuses to wear a mask and stubbornly demands that the show must go on because you don’t value human life, or you’re a liberal control freak who blindly follows Herr Newsom like a lemming and exaggerates the severity of coronavirus. It’s easy to get worked up about this, but I’m trying to remain rational. I agree we need to be cautious. However, I fail to see how a fireworks show, viewed at a distance from our own backyards or our own parked cars, as if we were at a drive-in movie, would risk the spread of coronavirus. All we needed was some leadership to make adjustments to the plans. Canceling, in my view, was a very weak decision. I’m talking leadership, not politics. In Mission Viejo, we should think for ourselves. Happy Independence Day to all!

SMART DECISION! Every single person on here complaining about their “freedom” being stripped away needs a reality check. Currently the US, the greatest nation in the world, the most advanced, the smartest, the strongest.......is the only nation with out of control COVID spikes! Every other country has it under control. Some have eliminated it! And the EU has banned ONLY Americans from traveling there. How can such a strong, leading, advanced country be so ignorant?! Wear masks people! It helps. Not just you, but everyone else. Had we just worn masks and ACTUALLY stayed home diligently from the beginning, we’d be done with this by now. But people didn’t do either and it will keep spreading. It’s not about “overlords” or “control”, stop being such snowflakes. It’s about common sense and being intelligent. As a leading country, we should have shown the world how it’s done! We all should have stayed in, worn masks at all times, and cleared this virus first. But no.... ignorant people complained about their “freedoms” and here we are, ongoing and the WORST infected nation on the planet! Have some pride!! Have some love for your country and save your fellow citizens! Masks aren’t for you, it’s to help everyone! Closing things down is to protect EVERYONE. Get a clue please! We have become the laughing stock of the world as we are the only nation that can’t get it together. What an embarrassment. Every one of you that complains, is an embarrassment.

I am proud of the Mission Viejo City Council in that they are putting its citizen's health and safety first. It is a hard position to be in as you can see from the many nasty comments coming their way. There will be other 4th of Julys, other holidays to celebrate. Is it worth losing even 1 life to celebrate ahead of what is wise? These cancelations may be an unpleasant adjustment but they are not the end of the world. Going to war can be the end of someone's world. Dying from COVID-19 is the end of someone's world. Get a grip. Thank the city for doing the right thing.

One doesn’t have to buy into the panic rhetoric to know that an attractive nuisance like fireworks on a major holiday draws people from all over to view it. There’s no sense in being reckless. It’s great that people living on or in near proximity to the Lake can stay home and watch, but every year there are crowds that gather on Alicia and in nearby parks to see them because they don’t have that view and, more so this year since neighboring cities wisely canceled theirs, making MV the only show in the area. The Council made the right, if unpopular, decision - just sooner would have been better since they obviously were aware of the danger when they canceled the Street Faire and the Lake closed.

This is unnecessary to cancel fireworks. Use common sense and treat people like adults. We understand how to keep our distance. People who keep saying act like adults and this is more convenience. I ask whose convenience the people who take our tax money? The show must go on and people can still keep their distances. The governor is teeating people like kids. Have you not paid attention how he talks to people. If you are that afraid then don’t bother coming out. Wondering how you stepped out the door the first time in this world not thinking you are going to get hit by a car. Chances are chances that is why you live. Now let’s get rid of Gruesome Newsome and the rest of the his train they ride on.

I feel grateful the city is putting safety before everything, including the fireworks display.

Many animal lovers are relieved that both domestic and wild animals will, for the first time in a long time, get the night off from being scared out of their minds. Many dogs and cats will not be hit by cars; many pets will not jump through glass windows or other barriers to run the streets because they are so stressed and scared. Maybe for the first time in years I won't be seeing dead animals on the side of the road on July 5th.

For those who look forward to fireworks display, I am sorry you are disappointed. For all my animal friends, we are so blessed to know, for the first time in years, July 4th does not mean certain death and the torture of agonizing fear for pets on the 4th, will take a vacation.

For those who insist on setting off illegal fireworks, give us all a break!

Thank you for making the right decision for the situation we are facing. Folks need to wear masks to help prevent/slow the spread. Folks shouldn’t be gathering with anybody outside of their household. And maybe we do need to change the words being used to “physical distancing” because we can still be social, but we shouldn’t be within physical proximity of those we do not live with. People need to go back to staying home as much as possible. And businesses that are capable of switching things up to remain open. If folks don’t start taking this seriously, we will be at this forever. The virus will likely just keep spreading and then folks will start getting it a second, and third time. Years and years will pass. Hopefully there will be a vaccine and then we can see if the vaccine helps at all, but those whom are high risk will still likely need to wear a mask when out. (People are quick to compare this to the flu, and even the flu vaccine doesn’t protect 100%, so we can safely assume that there could still be issues with COVID-19 even after a vaccine.) It’d be nice if we were all capable of sacrificing our current happiness for the safety of others, but I guess some folks haven’t truly grown up yet. This behavior I’m seeing in the population reminds me of my child development classes...the behavior is of a toddler whom is unable to think of anyone except for themselves. The world revolves around them and their current needs and desires. So a huge thank you to the Gavin Newsom, a wise Governor for the people of California right now, trying to keep the people safe from themselves. (Sometimes you need to do that. Look at seat belt laws, helmet laws, other laws that we have put into place to keep people safe. You can’t always do everything you want to do.) Also, thank you to all of the folks acting like responsible adults for our communities and state. Be safe out there folks.

Kudos to the City Council for making the tough but correct call! They deserve our full support! As a longtime resident (1970) and Vietnam Vet who is in the vulnerable age group, I continue to be dismayed at my neighbors and resident’s behavior during this pandemic. Dismayed but not surprised by some of the comments posted. I see very few people wearing masks – except in stores where they can’t get in without one. And social distancing – good luck with that! This not about individual rights people (some are obviously confused about that), but the right of people to NOT be infected when in a public place. Some 50% of people tested positive are asymptomatic (that number is probably higher) and can pass on the virus inadvertently. I don’t get it. MV has a case rate of 188.7/100k which means that while the chance of getting the virus is “relatively” low it is NOT ZERO. And while transmission of the virus is lower outside – it is also NOT ZERO! I wish we could expect people to behave appropriately in respect to others but it is obvious that is not the case.

I used to enjoy fireworks and MV has had some great displays over the years. But if you are a dog owner, you know how traumatic it is to them – and you can’t avoid it. I’m sure that if the dogs (and other pets) could tell us they would be 100% in favor of banning fireworks, period. And prosecute the people who set off illegal fireworks in the city. Also, and most importantly to you conservatives out there, it is a tremendous waste of money for a few moments of whatever. There are much better and less costly ways to celebrate the 4th of July.

Ridiculous and unacceptable!!

Caving in to Gavin Newsom's unreasonable demands puts us on a par with his crazy agenda. We are so much better than that. This is beyond sad.

A note on spelling, because a couple people brought it up. Both canceled and cancelled are acceptable. The first is generally preferred in the US. Feel free to fact-check me.