To The Editor:
This letter was sent to Governor Phil Scott.
Governor Scott, I have supported and applauded every move that Vermont has made to combat this pandemic. But I cannot support a part of the latest regulation.
I cannot support the restriction on multi-household gatherings. I am recommending that it be modified to allow outdoor gatherings of "x" people or less from no more than two households with appropriate social distancing.
It is a quality of health and life issue. My reasons are as follows:
- People are tired of the pandemic and this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back as far as following regulations.
- So many of us enjoy a walk in the woods with another couple. It relieves stress and boredom and gives us exercise.
- People will be more inclined to follow the regulations if there can be exercise and variety in their daily lives
- Outdoor transmission is proven to be much less than indoors
- Many elderly and disadvantaged people rely on neighbors to help them with walks and other daily outdoor stuff
- We live in a very rural area so we can't even have distant conversations with neighbors. Yes, tolerable but certainly not enjoyable.
- We have had socially distancing (10 feet or more) two or three couple outdoor gatherings with close friends all summer and were planning to continue them around a fire pit in the winter. We all were safe as we have been tested recently. It makes the other sacrifices somewhat bearable.
I am a volunteer EMT, firefighter and national ski patroller. So, I am on the front lines and would not recommend anything that I did not feel was workable and safe.
Thank you for your attention to this,
Geordie Hall
Warren
