No. Fishing tournaments in Lake County are not safe. In fact it's an outrage to suggest otherwise.

We as a nation, as a state and as a county are now demonstrably worse off than we were in April when the lake was shut down even to local kayakers. How in the world can we do otherwise now?

COVID-19 is out of control in this state and all over the US and yet we are asked to open our county to swarms of fishermen from everywhere ... anywhere, including states where infections are rampant. We are talking about 160 boats, 320 fishermen and who knows how many others ... in our grocery stores, casinos, our community?

Already every special event from concerts in the park, Brews and Blues, the Pear Festival, the Harvest Festival and most recently the Konocti Challenge have been canceled. Why are fishing contests different?

Almost a quarter of the population in Lake County is 65 and older and at particular risk of illness and death from this virus. We have two small hospitals in this county and double the number of coronavirus cases in the last two weeks.

So far, perhaps because of our relative geographic isolation, we have been spared most of the consequences of COVID-19. That could change. It's not worth the risk.

Drew Tritchler lives in Lakeport, Calif.