As a life-long resident (and community volunteer) of Sullivan County and as a person who cares deeply about the health safety and welfare of all of the county’s residents, I am distressed that the influx of seasonal visitors has already begun. Bungalow colonies and camps are making preparations to open and many seasonal visitors have already come to stay, with more arriving every day. They have been traveling back and forth for weeks, which may, in part explain the increase in our coronavirus cases in Sullivan County.
I speak for a multitude of year-round residents when I say seasonal visitors — whether they be religious students or people of any denomination, vacationers, or younger children boarding for a summer of recreation and personal growth — have always been welcomed to the various municipalities who host them with mostly open arms. Their presence provides much-needed income to our businesses and government, and the diversity of people pouring into the county each summer is a healthy reminder that we are better living amongst each other than apart.
Nevertheless, this summer cannot be treated as business as usual. Not even close. Governor Cuomo has consistently stated that areas all over the state must open carefully, following data-driven guidelines recommended by the CDC. Yet, our summer visitors are moving into an area where the rates are INCREASING daily, not decreasing.
We are already waiting in line outside of the supermarkets. We are seeing blatant disregard of social distancing measures. Food shortages are not that far off. What will happen when there are more than the approximate full-time 70,000 residents here this summer? The rapid spread of infection with the number of people we normally welcome will surely tax the resources of our first responders, the general population, and the businesses that are working hard, under great duress to ensure safe, COVID-free operation.
Can our hospital handle this? Of course not. And the Governor has made this clear many times in his daily briefings. Our leaders, county, and statewide must stand together to protect the residents of our county. Doing so has absolutely nothing to do with who inhabits the camps, colonies, and other seasonal facilities. It has everything to do with people not following common sense and scientific recommendations and having respect for the first responders and residents of our county. The governor says we must be smart. Is it smart to allow the camps and seasonal colonies to open? Will people be tested before they come to our community? How will we quarantine those who test positive, and under whose auspices?
THIS IS NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL, but we had better make it the business of this summer to eradicate the coronavirus by examing as closely as possible how to tell our usually welcome visitors “… see you next year.”
Nancy Levine
Swan Lake, NY 12783
Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Mid-Hudson News.
