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The opening days of hiking season are here, and with a warm Memorial Day weekend ahead, the Adirondack Council wants to remind outdoors enthusiasts to socially distance and continue using personal protective equipment while recreating.
Outdoor tourism is important for the North Country economy as well, and hikers traveling to the Adirondacks should take the time to research the local protocols and conditions beforehand. Residents and tourists alike should seek to avoid crowds and crowded locations so we can continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while still getting the exercise and fresh air we all need.
“Year-round and seasonal residents of the park have done a good job of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the communities of the Adirondack Park, allowing some of its economy to reopen in time for the start of the tourism season, that’s a testament to the spirit of cooperation that sustains our communities through good times and bad. It shows that we are all in this together. Adirondackers look out for each other. Together, we will find our way to better times ahead,” said Adirondack Council Deputy Director Rocci Aguirre in a press release.
It’s also important to remember that in the Adirondacksm spring is mud and black fly season. Visitors may find that their region’s spring is not comparable to the north country, making it especially important to do research before hiking up here. There is typically still ice, snow, and mud on several sections of popular high-altitude hikes, and it is recommended in mud season to avoid trails above 2,500 feet.
To learn more about socially distant hiking, to view trail conditions, and to find tips for hiking in mud season, check out the following links:
Photo Credit: High Peaks camping at Copperas Pond lean-to camp, courtesy of NYSDEC
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General inquiries about the Adirondack Almanack should be directed to editor
I just returned from the Tops Market in North Creek. Despite a large sign at the door notifying shoppers that face covering was needed to shop, in the 1/2 hour that I was in there, I counted 6 shoppers walking around the store without any face covering. Another had a bandana around her neck but not covering her face. There were no wipes at the dispenser when entering to allow cart wipe down prior to shopping. I am a year round resident in the Adirondacks. I am 73 and have very little other options near my home in Indian Lake. The manager did not approach any of these non-compliant shoppers to request that they use face covering or they would have to leave.
It is true that we have done a great job keeping this virus at bay, but I believe that the current “re-opening” is being misread by some denser folks– they read it as the virus has gone away. What is also true is that our healthcare resources are below what would be needed in even a small spike here in the park and that we have a considerable population of folks over 65 that represent a higher risk target for COVID-19. If our market resources and their management believe that this poor response so early in our season represents their caring for the people who support them year round , they are sadly mistaken. I guess this is what to expect from leadership that cares more about money than community.
It is completely baffling that the store managers don’t see the need to enforce the requirement for patrons to wear masks. All they need is one sick employee and the store is now shut for 2 weeks. You can’t make money when you’re shut, how hard is this ?
Exactly HOW are store owners/managers/sales clerks etc supposed to enforce the mask ‘rules’? In many cases, you’re asking that young person getting minimum wage to do what? Confront that non-mask wearing customer and threaten to physically throw him/her out of the store? Not if it’s my kid working there. Ask any Police Officer what a clerk should do if confronted by a robber or other lawbreaker in their store and they’ll tell you to call the police. Same here. If the state make the rules, they’re the one that has to enforce them. Call the police and see how long it takes for the Police to stop answering that call.
I wouldn’t expect sales clerks to take on that responsibility (unless they are concerned about their health and what they are taking home) but I do expect owners and managers to be the ones to enforce the face covering policy. After all, they are the ones posting the signs outside the entrance. If people still don’t comply, ask them to leave. If that doesn’t work, tell them they cannot purchase. If that doesn’t work, call the police.
I heard about a store full of customers in MA who got together and forced a woman not wearing face covering to leave the store. Look, anyone who has read about this disease and its potential long term negative effects on body organs should be concerned about acquiring or spreading this disease.
John L, there is a big difference between a store manager and a young clerk. Of course a kid working as a clerk should not be expected to Most responsible managersconfront a customer. A manager is an adult, presumably, and is being paid to manage the store. This would include looking after the welfare of workers as well as customers. At the grocery store I go to, there are signs posted clearly stating that no customer is to come inside without a mask, customers are limited to a few at a time, and the manager or his assistant is there by the door to make sure customers are in compliance.
My comment got scrambled — sorry.
“I guess this is what to expect from leadership that cares more about money than community.”
William,
That pretty much says it all. I believe the administration’s rush to reopen ignoring CDC guidelines is not well thought out and will only slow total economic recovery – in large part due to the pinheads you mention that don’t feel public health precautions even apply to them. It will slow the recovery in our area simply because the tourists and communities will not feel safe. Employees may decide working for minimum wage isn’t worth the risk – especially if employers choose not to or are not able to enforce social distancing/mask guidelines. Employers may decide risks to their employees and liability isn’t worth opening. The public isn’t going to feel safe returning to establishments with lax enforcement. The stock market will not rebound until consumer confidence returns and employees feel they are safe.
On a personal note, I have an older sister who is a hairdresser in PA. Despite lockdown measures starting to loosen there, plenty of hairdressers were ignoring the mandated shutdown by the state board of health – including her employer. My sister, being high-risk like myself, DID observe the shutdown and has not worked. Yet when these scofflaws were reported, nothing was done. Local law enforcement couldn’t get involved because of jurisdiction issues. County and state enforcement was not to be found. At this point the only potential repercussions the violators could face are loss of license – which still would require enforcement! My sister decided to retire rather than return to work in an unsafe environment. I am being faced with the same decision when the practice I work for reopens next week – but retirement is not a realistic option for me.
How many other healthcare and service industry employees will temporarily or permanently drop out of the workforce or change occupations for the same reason? National testing is still inadequate in determining the extent of the pandemic. How many people will risk their lives and their family member’s lives for near-minimum wage with the virus still threatening? No, William, as you said, the virus certainly has not gone away.
William, that is pretty appalling. It sounds as if the “manager” is either lax and/or stupid and isn’t doing his job. Have you tried to contact higher management about this issue?
The most dangerous virus we spread is apathy and “me me”. No vaccine or treatment has yet been developed to remedy wanton disregard or willful ignorance in getting what they want without harming others in their path.
William Quinlivan says: “I just returned from the Tops Market in North Creek. Despite a large sign at the door notifying shoppers that face-covering was needed to shop, in the 1/2 hour that I was in there, I counted 6 shoppers walking around the store without any face covering….”
Steve B says: “It is completely baffling that the store managers don’t see the need to enforce the requirement for patrons to wear masks.”
> There’s nothing baffling about it at all Steve B! That’s Trump country. They listen to him when he says, “Go out and co-mingle with your fellow republicans…..and everyone else while you’re at it.” These are the same people who, if you melt a glacier right in front of them they would deny it ever happened because…… well you know the answer to that! The problem with propaganda and ignorance is that people die unnecessarily because.
Covid-19 has made a fundamental shift in this country and guess what areas are being hit hard now? Rural America, or Trump country, which don’t surprise me. Them people believe everything they hear from Trump and Fox News and Sean Hannity….. Those people aren’t just liars, they’re professional liars, and their constituents will believe them no matter what and so their constituents are paying the price. The unfortunate thing is many good, smart people are going down with them! It always goes that way.
There is absolutely no need to make this into a political statement.
Don’t be naive Steve. Everything that’s happened these last 3 1/2 years is political, including this ‘pandemic’.
I happen to agree with you politically.
But the conversation gets divisive when you drag the “Trump said this” or “Cuomo did that” element into it. No need for that.
I didn’t mention Trump or Cuomo in any of my comments. Charlie S did.
Apologies, I was replying to Charlie of course.
Boreas says: “How many other healthcare and service industry employees will temporarily or permanently drop out of the workforce or change occupations for the same reason?”
Many of them are dying Boreas? And what are the Hospitals up to during this pandemic? I spoke to a friend recently on the phone and this is an edited version of our speak, what he shared with me, names ommitted:
…………………………………………………………
“We had a relative die recently, he was a husband of my wife’s cousin, his name was ! He was down in Long Island. He had health problems for the past year and it kind of caught up with him, so he went into the hospital, then they sent him into a rehab hoping to get him better to get him home. His wife didn’t see him for two months, wasn’t allowed to see him, and he died, but the thing is he didn’t die from Covid-19 he died from a heart attack, and other things associated with it. They (the hospital) never did a Covid-19 test on him, but on the cause of death they wanted the family to put down Covid-19. The wife was adamant, “No, he didn’t die from Covid-19.” Their response was “well, you know it will be better for the rehabilitation center, better for you if you don’t have insurance…”
…………………………………………………………
So there’s some kind of economic benefit to have the death toll high was the consensus tween my friend and I!
Then in a letter to the editor in the Daily Gazette a few days later I read this:
Follow the money! Think the Covid-19 virus figures aren’t skewed? Follow the money trail. For every elderly virus patient admitted, the medical facility receives $13,000 from Medicare. For every patient put on a ventilator, they are given $39,000 from the government. Check the Covid-19 box and get the big bucks. Also, I’m wondering how many received the annual flu shot. Bob Briggs Saratoga Springs
So you see……it’s about greed too! Human nature will be human nature.
Thanks Charlie. You’re making my argument that the number of COVID deaths are heavily skewed. You say it’s because of greed. I say it’s because of politics. Po TA to…Po TAH to. Thanks pal. We FINALLY agree on something.
This isn’t the only country with politics, but I do feel politicians and citizens alike in this country have to answer for the relatively high number of deaths here that continue to climb daily while ignoring re-opening guidelines advised by CDC.
Steve B says: “There is absolutely no need to make this into a political statement.”
It’s the truth Steve! It is political! And people are dying because of it. In rural America they’re starting to have a surge in Covid-19…Minnesota, the Dakota’s, Iowa, others! This is new! Many of these areas are poor areas where people already have health problems, don’t have good access to medical care, etc…Trump country. He speaks to them and they listen, like sheep flocking to the herdsman. It’s too bad people can’t think for themselves! Sean Hannity, all of them…they lie to their audience, or play down reality. They tell their audience lies which I have heard with my own ears.
Bits from a much condensed New York Times story April 19,2020:
“Joe Joyce,a bar owner from Brooklyn was a big Trump supporter, who chose selectively from the menu of current Republican ideologies, freely rejecting what didn’t suit him. He went on a cruise on March 1 with his wife. His three adult children thought it was a bad idea what with the pandemic going on. His daughter Kristen said, He watched Fox News and believed it was under control. Early in March Sean Hannity went on air proclaiming that he didn’t like the way that the American people were getting scared “unnecessarily. Eventually Fox changed course and took the virus more seriously, but the Joyce’s were long gone by then. On March 14 they returned…on April 9 Joe Joyce died of Covid-19. His daughter speculated, “If Trump had gone on TV with a mask on and said, ‘Hey this is serious,’ I don’t think he would have gone.”
He’s all yours Steve. JohnL out! (insert mic drop here).
Steve B says: “But the conversation gets divisive when you drag the “Trump said this” or “Cuomo did that” element into it.”
You’re right Steve, but we’re a very divisive nation and we need truth now more than ever, and the last thing I want is division. Really I mean that! I’m into building bridges not walls.
JohnL says: “Thanks Charlie. You’re making my argument that the number of COVID deaths are heavily skewed.”
They may be John but the numbers are still very high no matter how you look at it. I don’t get why you wish to play it down. What are you afraid of? I’m sure we agree on more than you realize.
Charlie,
In many people’s minds across the country, “playing it down” (whether it be CV-19, climate change, or ignoring the constitution) supposedly makes all the previous bad decisions, current reopening chaos, and any future repercussions less attributable to any particular political ideology or administration. In reality there is only one truth, but sometimes it takes more courage than we can muster to accept it. When you choose to only drink from one well, you won’t stray far from it.
We’re never going to agree Boreas. Not we as in you and me per se, but the left and the right and on and on all of the divisions between whatever groups or factions…..we will never see eye to eye no matter who is right. I speak the truth and people don’t want to hear it. All of the history is out there but do you think people care about the truth when they’re set in their ideological, political, religious ways! Our leaders play on people’s ignorance. They dangle their carrots whether it be abortion, gun rights…they know what they’re doing, and there sure is a heckuva lotta lying going around. The left and the right both play the game but there is a clear difference between the two and i’ll be darned if the one isn’t going to lead us over a cliff first. A lot of us clearly see and feel this, yet you will never get through to the other folk who are clearly delusional if you ask me, which is not to say they’re all bad people they’re not…..they just don’t know any better. I mean what else can it be?