chapter 556

May 18, 2020

Coping with Corona

behavior modification

Fighting the coronavirus has been a battle. Saratoga National Historical Park visitor center facilities and tour road are closed to traffic due to covid19 but you can walk all around the park and bike the 9 mile road. It was a beautiful day to be there with just a handful of guests. Virus was the biggest killer (small pox 90% of Continental Army deaths) at the turning point of the Revoluntionary War at the Battle of Saratoga. Viruses are so ubiquitous and so overlooked, maybe because you can't see them. 

What is distressing to me is that it feels like upstate NY is being treated like we are NYC. Why do I feel like cannon fodder? Just don't think our minimal population density is in any way comparable to the 67,000 people per square mile of Manhattan. US maps and tables show the whole of NY tainted by the skewed high disease density of metropolitan NY. That's not to say that small isolated areas are exempt from the virus and need to take precautions, but...

Sometimes you have to crawl before you can walk. We've maintained some distance from everyone including family but it is a good thing to be outside. The dilution effect of open air and sunlight and heat to kill viruses is advantageous. Most covid cases come from home environments. Lucas thinks he is an American Ninja Warrior here in Saratoga Park. He really loves to get outside. Perhaps 30% of patrons wear masks but it's really not necessary with the separation that the open space provides. Our local Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve has been uber popular, almost too much so. I think there will be a lasting increase in popularity of outdoor activities even after the crisis subsides.

NYS gave me free hand sanitizer as I started my peaceful 3 mile walk through the Shenendehowa school property. There happened to be a pop up national Health and Human Services mask giveaway combined with this on the Town grounds. The sign said playgrounds and fields are closed. Felt like a criminal avoiding the police cars while walking through these vast open spaces not really knowing if I was going to be arrested and jailed but I felt like I was doing the right thing. Obviously they don't want groups and gangs of people congregating but these open spaces should be used. 

Fishing is a great way to be engaged in a relaxing hobby and very good stress relief for mental health. Not that I need that, but I've been seeing the 30 pound Striped Bass being caught by 12 year olds down in the Hudson River during the spawning runs. Saw a few along with some nice 2 to 3 pound American Shad being caught. Always trying to get pictures of them but there are many fishermen who are nervous and untrusting of people taking pictures. There are many law breakers out there and maybe more so with job losses and need for food. Feel like I'll do a little more fishing this year.

Although Colleen has been able to work from home she is still stressed from reviewing the covid and death reports.  I try to get her out in nature and it was a great weekend day to visit Lake George. It's awkward however. Public bathrooms are not open. Shops are not open, just grocery stores and gas stations. Thought the Million Dollar Beach parking lot would be open but no. Squeezed into the crowded full boat launch site for free parking. The Village (of course) has all streets metered to suck in as much cash as they can get from tourists. Most spaces were taken but the crowd was way down from normal.

Took my fishing pole and failed but one guy hauled in a beautiful 22" Atlantic Salmon right where I was fishing along this shoreline.

Had the terrific barbecued beef at one our favorites, the Barnsider. But it's takeout only. Don't mind calling in the order and paying on phone, or picking up in a paper bag all no-touch mode. But verboten is to sit at an outdoor table in the sunshine. Wow. The NY/NJ crowd is a high percentage of their clientele so I sort of understand their caution, it's not all the fault of Commander Cuomo's edicts.

Lake George is so beautiful and can't you just feel the freedom of sailing. The economy of the Village is hurting though and it remains to be seen how much effect there will be on the summer season. Don't mind if there was a 50% fall off, but I just want my Adirondack Brew Pub to reopen.

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