Last week HTO shared two E-Letters with our subscribers regarding a recent LA Times article discussing the possibility of COVID-19 in the ocean. The below E-Letter is COVID-19 in the Ocean? Part II.

The public response to our E-Letters was fantastic. However, we do have a correction to make. We previously said in COVID-19 in the Ocean? Part II: “As an atmospheric chemist, Prather’s work is focused on aerosol transport of the COVID-19 virus, people to people, including beach-goers. She was never studying the possibility of the virus getting into the ocean and becoming airborne in wave action for surfers and ocean-swimmers to breathe.”. . .

A week ago today (Thursday, April 2, 2020) the Los Angeles Times ran a story, “Coronavirus at beaches? Surfers, swimmers should stay away, scientist says.” Written by a reporter Rosanna Xia, the article described the work of celebrated Scripps Institution scientist Kim Prather finding that the COVID-19 virus can make its way to the ocean through wastewater and/or land-based runoff, then becoming churned by an ocean wave into a “giant sneeze” that surfers and ocean swimmers could inhale. . .

We came across this video (four minutes, in Italian, with subtitles) which you can view by clicking on the image of Earth below. Please click Full Screen at the start.

There is nothing positive to say about death, economic devastation, and sorrow brought to the world by the Coronavirus pandemic - but it has forced us all to stop. This presentation makes us wonder if, when this terribleness is over, can humankind, with our ultra-high science, technology, and innovation, put our activities and commerce back together again in a better way. . .

I hope this finds you all happy and healthy and that taking care of things isn’t too difficult during these unsettling times.
Following the recommendations of state and local authorities and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department to slow the progression of the COVID-19 virus, Heal the Ocean has closed our office, and we are all working remotely.
Our work does not slow down, however. . .

A Global Marine barge carrying oil cleanup equipment pulled up to Summerland Beach Tuesday afternoon, February 18, 2020, bringing contractors to begin exploratory excavation on a leaking well, “North Star,” on Summerland Beach. State Lands Commission officials are conducting the excavation project as part of their plan to cap up to three wells in June/July 2020 – two on the beach and the including the notorious Treadwell #10 offshore.

Heal the Ocean has just had the biggest year in our history – both in support and program success. We thank you ALL for making this possible!

We suspect the enthusiastic support we’re getting has much to do with HTO initiating a Styrofoam Recycling program with MarBorg Industries – where Styrofoam is being repurposed into usable items. We are being asked for advice from other communities in California, and we’re giving it freely.

When you make a charitable contribution to Heal the Ocean as a gift to a friend this Holiday Season, we will send them a Heal the Ocean holiday card on your behalf letting them know of your ocean-loving generosity!

Thank you for your support this year, and Happy Holidays!

Join us at Topa Topa Brewing Company, tomorrow, Tuesday December 10, from 6-9pm for a happy hour benefiting Heal the Ocean! There will be ocean information and groovy live music by The Wrinkled Teenagers with Denny Aaberg & Simone Reddingius! There will also be a holiday raffle featuring gifts from Highwave Inc., Aloha Collection, and Mr. Zogg's Sex Wax. . .

Heal the Ocean flags are flying on State Street! – our wonderful image of a blue sea with happy dolphins leaping in waves, bringing a happy positive note to our gray, rainy days in Santa Barbara.

They are flying because HTO has been chosen to be Grand Marshal of the 2019 Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade on Friday, December 6. The Parade will proceed “rain or shine,” because it brings with it the annual ceremony of the lighting of Santa Barbara’s Christmas Tree in front of the Arlington Theater. It also brings Santa to town. . .

#GivingTuesday was started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation as a response to commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season (Black Friday and Cyber Monday). Heal the Ocean’s response to the commercialization of #GivingTuesday is to GIVE TO YOU instead. . .

Thank you, EVERYBODY, for your amazing support and cheer during our Heal the Ocean Benefit at the El Paseo Saturday night! It felt like the biggest love-fest EVER, beginning with our wonderful Honorary Event Chair & Honorary Board Member Julia Louis-Dreyfus entering the room with her fabulous husband Brad Hall to spread cheer, and then after Julia greeted the crowd from the stage, the festivities began in earnest. . .

The ocean is calling…and the Mermaids have answered! Marcie’s Mermaids will be swimming 19 miles along the shore of East Beach this Sunday, September 22, 2019 beginning at 9:00AM!

All are welcome to cheer on the Mermaids for the swim in memory of fellow swimmer and ocean-lover Marcie Kjoller to benefit Heal the Ocean. There will be a memorial moment at the water's edge at 9:00AM and the swim will start shortly after. The Mermaids will each swim the distance of 3.2 miles, to add up to 19 miles. . .

In the last 24 hours the ladies of Marcie's Mermaids have had to make the difficult decision to cancel their Santa Barbara Channel swim originally scheduled for Friday, September 20, 2019, due to unfortunate marine weather forecasts in the Santa Barbara Channel - high wind and swell. Needless to say, the safety of the crew and swimmers is everyone's number one concern. . .