COVID concerns in the Northeast

[kbroderick]

Not really, unless the governors try to give themselves special powers through the state of emergency. New York threatened to sue Rhode Island when they were trying to do that back in the spring

Even with emergency powers, closing interstate travel would have to pass a pretty damn high bar for constitutional muster.

Now, regulating what people do in your state after coming in from another state (e.g. requiring a 14-day quarantine without contact with any other humans) is much more likely to pass constitutional muster, particularly when it applies as Vermont's guidelines do to both visitors and returning residents.

 

[abc]

Someone could make a killing selling cardboard covers with a fake plate matching the state you are parked in..... Just saying.

Except a good many of the second home owners have out-of-state plate. And they may have been staying in VT the whole time. Quarantine and what not...

 

[icecoast1]

Even with emergency powers, closing interstate travel would have to pass a pretty damn high bar for constitutional muster.

Yup, that would almost certainly end up getting blocked by the supreme court, if it even made it that far

 

[sull1102]

I think this will be the MO in VT to potentially shut down the areas. When they show up and the parking lot is filled with out of state plates, that will probably be enough for them to shut it down. I don't think Scott cares whether the ski areas operate or not.

Can a state totally ban people from coming in from another state(s)?

That's concerning, but true it seems. A state cannot totally ban people from coming in from other states per laws going back to the beginning of the good 'ol US of A. ON the note about Baker, I do find it interesting that for now we aren't seeing massive business losses and bankruptcies. Many of these resorts were FAR from financially stable in February of 2020 so I can only imagine how jacked up the books are now that they lost all summer business and likely to lose their shirts this year as well. I think the industry will look quite different next season, or at least we'll have plenty of NELSAP rumors to talk about next summer.

 

[Slidebrook87]

When they show up and the parking lot is filled with out of state plates, that will probably be enough for them to shut it down.

I think this will be the MO in VT to potentially shut down the areas. When they show up and the parking lot is filled with out of state plates, that will probably be enough for them to shut it down. I don't think Scott cares whether the ski areas operate or not.

Can a state totally ban people from coming in from another state(s)?

How can a health inspector see something as broad as an out of state plate and use it as a reason to shut a ski area down? After all it isn’t the ski area’s fault for having out of state visitors, and frankly they need them to stay alive this winter. On every VT ski areas website they mention the travel guidelines. At Killington more than half of the plates were out of state and I assume it is similar throughout Vermont. Now mask compliance is another story. If people are not wearing masks and the policy is not being enforced, then if it is a repeat violation then maybe that could make sense.

 

[JimG.]

Me too! I would like to ski the entire season.

At this point I'll be happy when one of the mountains I have a pass for opens.

 

[JimG.]

To your aside I agree. Neon on tap, Cooked for wife, son and all the dogs. Will probably make this a new tradition.

Same here, my favorite holiday of all spent at home with wife and 3 sons. It's been our tradition for the last 10 years, I just got tired of traveling instead of enjoying.

 

[drjeff]

How can a health inspector see something as broad as an out of state plate and use it as a reason to shut a ski area down? After all it isn’t the ski area’s fault for having out of state visitors, and frankly they need them to stay alive this winter. On every VT ski areas website they mention the travel guidelines. At Killington more than half of the plates were out of state and I assume it is similar throughout Vermont. Now mask compliance is another story. If people are not wearing masks and the policy is not being enforced, then if it is a repeat violation then maybe that could make sense.

If people aren't wearing masks, and the resort is taking numerous steps to see that people are following the guidelines, then that could be an entirely different issue, and one where within reason, the public health department may let it slide rather than take a harsh knee jerk response

 

[BenedictGomez]

the only thing missing from that post is a trip to Whole Foods and Trader Joes

Either via bicycle or electric car, for some organic produce & hummus.

 

[kingslug]

After seeing Hunters webcam today..going to take a good bit of blowing to get back in shape. Next week looks good.

 

[andrec10]

After seeing Hunters webcam today..going to take a good bit of blowing to get back in shape. Next week looks good.

Almost starting over.

 

[uphillklimber]

I just want to report what I am seeing as far as COVID concerns at the lifts (Sunday River). The lifties are being diligent about asking anyone who is not masked up to cover up. They are doing a good job there. Employees are wearing their face masks, full time, good luck finding one without it. Seems they are doing what they can to stay open, and it seems to show that wearing the masks will keep the mountain open. Spacing is less of an issue, it's easy to keep 6 feet apart skiing.

The only downside I have seen, is the occasional skier who wants to try to pass in the lift que. Liftie directs me next, I am a single, so I get in line. He directs the next group of 2 skiers. I am at the gate and they get in the gate next to me and try to pass me in the gate. I mean, wait your turn, everyone else has to. We need to be considerate of others and recognize the line without cutting in front of people.

Be well all.

 

[njdiver85]

Very good operation at Mount Snow yesterday. Anyone not wearing a mask or wearing one improperly was flagged very quickly.

Regarding the VT travel ban, I will note that the real problem that I see are the bars and restaurants in VT - their parking lots have been filled at night - with locals!

 

[machski]

Yes, I thought SR did a good job with spacing lift lines and mask monitoring. Part of that may be due to crowds being light from the liquid precip towards the bases, snow up top. Snow level did seem to be dropping when we decided to quit around noon. Too damp and googles were fogging up thanks to the damness and masks on lift.

 

[tnt1234]

SO everyone who has been skiing, what is your mask method? Cloth mask under the chin while skiing, up while riding the lift? Balaclava all day?

 

[Slidebrook87]

SO everyone who has been skiing, what is your mask method? Cloth mask under the chin while skiing, up while riding the lift? Balaclava all day?

Pretty much all day for me. Above nose in lines and on lifts, below nose while skiing.

 

[skef]

SO everyone who has been skiing, what is your mask method? Cloth mask under the chin while skiing, up while riding the lift? Balaclava all day?

I bought a few balaclava-style masks from airbandmask.com; it's not clear if they're still selling them. Wear one all day. It does get damp... Better than a balaclava because: (1) ear loops and (2) rigid nose clip.

Yesterday at WaWa at one point I was in line stuck between two unmasked parties. Not cool.

 

[abc]

Yesterday at WaWa at one point I was in line stuck between two unmasked parties. Not cool.

But aren't you a good 6' away from each?

Alternatively, you could let the unmasked party behind you go ahead of you, and leave extra distance behind them?

 

[KustyTheKlown]

my girlfriend just made the smart decision that we are not going to drive to Nashville to see her mom for Christmas after i am in Vermont for 10 days

i knew she would arrive at this decision, so i didn't really sweat it or try to influence it. avoided a minefield by letting this run its natural course.

my vermont trip is pretty low risk. i am going alone and cooking for myself. but i'd feel really bad about getting her mom sick. and then the Nashville trip itself was the kind of trip you arent supposed to take. halfway across the country to visit multiple households of old relatives.

this lets me ski again after xmas which is also cool. and i don't have to drive to and from nashville.

 

[tnt1234]

my girlfriend just made the smart decision that we are not going to drive to Nashville to see her mom for Christmas after i am in Vermont for 10 days

i knew she would arrive at this decision, so i didn't really sweat it or try to influence it. avoided a minefield by letting this run its natural course.

my vermont trip is pretty low risk. i am going alone and cooking for myself. but i'd feel really bad about getting her mom sick. and then the Nashville trip itself was the kind of trip you arent supposed to take. halfway across the country to visit multiple households of old relatives.

this lets me ski again after xmas which is also cool. and i don't have to drive to and from nashville.

Seems like the right decision.

We of course bailed on Thanksgiving. We usually host, and didn't. Also scraped X-mas and Chanukah.

It sucks, but hey, don't want to get anyone sick, or get sick really, so....and we do want to ski....so feels right to limit some risks if we are gonna take some others....