Discussion: White platers

We see yellow platers around here.

?

We see red robins around here.

Yeah, you're close to the wrong side of the mountains.

I didn't get the reference at first. Then when yellow was mentioned it clicked. I guess I fit into both categories since NY switched from white to yellow several years ago and now I have a few of each.

A strategy that could work in theory for rural areas dealing with this, though perhaps not in real life, would be instead of shunning them the community could give them a warm welcome and insist that you understand the difficulty of their situation and in order to help them successfully self-quarantine you will be happy to pick up their grocery/pharmacy/whatever orders from the local stores and deliver to their door. But obviously only works if everyone participates.

A sort of reverse form of this issue is that NY state just socialized the hospitals across the state under centralized management this week. Now they can shift staff and equipment to "locations with greatest need". Oh! And also, they've already begun relocating NYC patients to upstate hospitals.

Seems we're all honorary city residents now.

I was wondering the other day if, were I still in Boston, I'd be able to stay there in these circumstances. It's a lot easier to shake your head at people fleeing the city when you're not the one in their shoes. I know I would be quite miserable, whereas here in VT I am decidedly not miserable.

I can definitely see the argument "if I'm healthy now, and I plan to quarantine upon arrival at my planned rural destination, and I'm bringing all of my own food and supplies and my house is on a septic system, then I can damn well go where I please." The only problems then are the potential what-ifs, and the risks of those are the same for anyone, I'd imagine. I suppose internet would be another problem, like when it's a crowded weekend at Stratton and cell phones all get slow. But I could see ways of people being self sufficient and not stressing a community. Not that it's being done like that.

Definitely all my second-home neighbors are here right now.

Mitch, I hope that plan works out for NYS and its patients. Stay safe...

A further consideration is if people start getting really sick, the rural areas have very limited hospital resources. Example: Grace Cottage Hospital in Townsend has 12 beds. How long will that last with an extra load from out of the area? Visitors and second home owners are welcome, but please be healthy.

Eh? A green plater passed me on my run today. Is that one of the bandits avoiding CT taxes?

On a foray to round up TP.

Security is posted at all exits to ensure no TP leaves in foreign cars. A stiff penalty ensues - the car is wrapped in used TP, dried to stiffen.