To The Editor:
This letter is addressed to the Waitsfield Select Board.
Dear Waitsfield Select Board:
We are writing this morning to share our weekend experience as it may or may not relate to the COVID-19 crisis. We traveled to a polo game near Lebanon on Sunday. Our first stop was at Kaminsky’s Mobile station near I-89 in Northfield where none of the employees were wearing masks, even preparing food. When I questioned this practice, the clerk waiting on me held hers up. This was not very comforting.
As we were traveling home from Hanover area on I-89, we noticed heavy traffic going south. Almost every car was from out of state. Also, the traffic going north, almost everyone passed us even though we were going about 67 mph, was also out of state. This told us that people are flocking to Vermont in droves, coming and going as they please.
When we reached Warren Falls I think our jaws dropped. We could not believe the congestion on both sides of the road for about a mile, parking lots overflowing. I bet no social distancing there. Each river access all the way to Bridge Street was clogged with cars. I have never seen it so bad.
I fear for our health and safety at this time. Our out-of-state neighbors come and go each week and leave their houses daily.
I have written to our governor and to Fred Messer, our health officer, to share our concerns. I fear for the lives of Vermonters and the loss of our safe haven. I urge you, as representatives of the people, to take what steps you can to ensure our safety. We are in danger of a COVID-19 explosion.
Michael and Lynne Kingsbury
Waitsfield
