Haven't seen discussion of this. Is it possible that the BWCA could be closed again like it was in May?

I can see how it might happen. Grown-a** adults behaving like spoiled children are now making it a possibility. Ohio just imposed hardline fines for non-compliers and traveler-restrictions because of the recent rising average of infections. Other states have too.

As it looks now, I probably will have to cancel my late August trip because of extreme measures the Governor has been forced to impose (insert ugly words!).

mjmkjun: "I can see how it might happen. Grown-a** adults behaving like spoiled children are now making it a possibility. Ohio just imposed hardline fines for non-compliers and traveler-restrictions because of the recent rising average of infections. Other states have too.

As it looks now, I probably will have to cancel my late August trip because of extreme measures the Governor has been forced to impose (insert ugly words!)."

Yeah Montgomery Co/Dayton has mandatory masks in public now. I’m doing a week solo at the end of August as well and pray they don’t close. I’ve got a back up spot in the UP of Michigan if bwca closes as a back up plan.

My buddy and I have already changed our plans on traveling to Wyoming and backpacking the Cloud Peak Wilderness because of this rise in cases. We are looking at doing a BWCA trip instead for that week in August. Hopefully.

I think things will stay open, BWCA included, if a mask order is issued.

mjmkjun: "I can see how it might happen. Grown-a** adults behaving like spoiled children are now making it a possibility. Ohio just imposed hardline fines for non-compliers and traveler-restrictions because of the recent rising average of infections. Other states have too.

As it looks now, I probably will have to cancel my late August trip because of extreme measures the Governor has been forced to impose (insert ugly words!)."

What extreme measures by DeWine would force you to cancel your trip?

Wondering the same thing as I have to drive across OH on my way to BW.

boonie: "Wondering the same thing as I have to drive across OH on my way to BW. "

You’ll have no problems in Ohio. Just bring a mask.

We are driving up tomorrow so I hope not!

4keys: "We are driving up tomorrow so I hope not!
"

Drive safe and have a great trip!

I think camping closures are coming again, just a matter of when. I think my family will be able to do our BWCA trip at the end of the month, but I expect our WI camping trip at the end of Auguest to be canceled. Time will tell.

I was glad to see camping as low risk in one doctor's opinion. Activity risk

Nigal: "

mjmkjun: "I can see how it might happen. Grown-a** adults behaving like spoiled children are now making it a possibility. Ohio just imposed hardline fines for non-compliers and traveler-restrictions because of the recent rising average of infections. Other states have too.


As it looks now, I probably will have to cancel my late August trip because of extreme measures the Governor has been forced to impose (insert ugly words!)."

Yeah Montgomery Co/Dayton has mandatory masks in public now. I’m doing a week solo at the end of August as well and pray they don’t close. I’ve got a back up spot in the UP of Michigan if bwca closes as a back up plan. "

I wouldn’t count on Michigan with our governor, but won’t say anything else to remain non political. We have a trip planned to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone end of August and hoping for the best.

Minnesotian: "
My buddy and I have already changed our plans on traveling to Wyoming and backpacking the Cloud Peak Wilderness..."

Reasoning on this? Other than the road trip out? Pretty easy to "social distance" there.

Because of growing number of new cases, New York has added Minnesota (and Wisconsin and Iowa) to the list of states that if you travel to or live in, you must quarantine for 2 weeks upon entering New York.

billconner: "Because of growing number of new cases, New York has added Minnesota (and Wisconsin and Iowa) to the list of states that if you travel to or live in, you must quarantine for 2 weeks upon entering New York.


"

Are they checking people at the border or something? I mean, how do they know where came from if you drive?

mutz: "

Nigal: "

mjmkjun: "I can see how it might happen. Grown-a** adults behaving like spoiled children are now making it a possibility. Ohio just imposed hardline fines for non-compliers and traveler-restrictions because of the recent rising average of infections. Other states have too.



As it looks now, I probably will have to cancel my late August trip because of extreme measures the Governor has been forced to impose (insert ugly words!)."

Yeah Montgomery Co/Dayton has mandatory masks in public now. I’m doing a week solo at the end of August as well and pray they don’t close. I’ve got a back up spot in the UP of Michigan if bwca closes as a back up plan. "

I wouldn’t count on Michigan with our governor, but won’t say anything else to remain non political. We have a trip planned to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone end of August and hoping for the best."

It’s a simple matter of “what is called for in Detroit is not what is called for in Manastique”.

SummerSkin: "

mjmkjun: "I can see how it might happen. Grown-a** adults behaving like spoiled children are now making it a possibility. Ohio just imposed hardline fines for non-compliers and traveler-restrictions because of the recent rising average of infections. Other states have too.


As it looks now, I probably will have to cancel my late August trip because of extreme measures the Governor has been forced to impose (insert ugly words!)."

What extreme measures by DeWine would force you to cancel your trip?"

Perhaps I misunderstood regarding DeWine because none, in particular, would prevent me at this point. (I did think so at the time of posting.) In brief, it's what I expect to happen rather than any particular measure imposed on yesterday's briefing. Potential travel restrictions mentioned on the newscast if folks don't comply caused me the frustration of possibility aborting travel plans. Automatic 14-day quarantine, etc, etc. At the heart of it, I don't have faith people will comply. I also anticipate travel to/through other states being complicated as a result of the recent spike of the infected. Domino effect. These are strange times.

Nigal: "

billconner: "Because of growing number of new cases, New York has added Minnesota (and Wisconsin and Iowa) to the list of states that if you travel to or live in, you must quarantine for 2 weeks upon entering New York.



"

Are they checking people at the border or something? I mean, how do they know where came from if you drive?"

Based on news articles and NYS websites-
First, its New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut together.
Second - blacklisted states as of today:

Third, they have enforcement at all airports requiring you to fill out a form- distributed en route and turned in when you deplane. If you arrive by other means of transit, you are required to self report online.

For the same reason you don't throw tin cans in the thunderbox in BWCAW, you'd follow these rules. Of course breaking the quarantine rules can have much worse consequences than tin cans in the thunderbox.

I don't understand the resistance to basic measures and actions to protect our health and safety. Few fight rules about wearing clothes, why resist masks? Are people trying to deny their own vulnerability?

jhb8426: "

Minnesotian: "
My buddy and I have already changed our plans on traveling to Wyoming and backpacking the Cloud Peak Wilderness..."

Reasoning on this? Other than the road trip out? Pretty easy to "social distance" there."

Perhaps a flight is involved.

NY doesn't have to worry about me traveling there, and I sure won't be going to Florida.

Heck, I avoid Minneapolis, indeed anything north of the Minnesota River, or east of the St. Croix unless it is well north.

mjmkjun: "

jhb8426: "

Minnesotian: "
My buddy and I have already changed our plans on traveling to Wyoming and backpacking the Cloud Peak Wilderness..."

Reasoning on this? Other than the road trip out? Pretty easy to "social distance" there."

Perhaps a flight is involved.
"

Nope, no flight. We just don't like the potential risk involved with making fuel stops, reststops, on the trip.

What this pandemic is teaching me is that most people are taking it seriously, but it only takes a small handful of selfish people to damage me or people I care about, therefore it is up to me to do what I think is safe. I can't rely on this country and state leadership to do the right thing. I wear a mask and accept the dirty looks. I stand 6' away from people and endure the "jokes." At this point, I am settling into the thought that this situation is something I will have to endure until 2022 at least. And to me, that means no unnecessary trips. For my own safety, yes, but for the safety of others.

The greatest generation endured 4 years of a global war after just enduring years of the Dust Bowl and a stock market depression. The people of England endured food rationing until 1949. It shocks me that we are 6 months into a completely manageable pandemic that is anything but managed because of entitled, selfish brats that can't fathom doing the most basic things for the safety of other people.

This pandemic is exposing every crack and fissure in the general accepted social norms of everyday life. How we adapt to this change will decide what survives.

This post isn't directed at any one person on this forum. It is my venting of observations.

billconner:

I don't understand the resistance to basic measures and actions to protect our health and safety. Few fight rules about wearing clothes, why resist masks? Are people trying to deny their own vulnerability? "

Now is a great time to reread the book, "The Plague" by Camus.

I just don't see the big deal involved in mask wearing. Be responsible and considerate of others. Keep your germs to yourself!
Motorcyclists have to wear helmets. In vehicles we wear seatbelts. Shouldn't drink and drive. No shirt, no shoes no service. It all has to do with being a responsible citizen. It is the same theory as LNT, not cutting down live trees, or trashing a site or clogging a portage or putting cans in the latrine. Ok, rant over! I couldn't tell the non-mask wearing man at the grocery store - he would have blasted me - so here it is!

Portage99: "

billconner:


I don't understand the resistance to basic measures and actions to protect our health and safety. Few fight rules about wearing clothes, why resist masks? Are people trying to deny their own vulnerability? "

Now is a great time to reread the book, "The Plague" by Camus. "

Similarities in 'The Stand' by Stephen King. (Captain Trips-is a nickname for the constantly-shifting antigen virus that exterminates 99.4% of the human population in The Stand. To make it dramatic it's attached to a good vs evil theme.)
On a positive note, Linden mentioned that Duluthians (sounds weird) are complying for the most part. Thumbs up to them!

Grandma L: "I just don't see the big deal involved in mask wearing. Be responsible and considerate of others. Keep your germs to yourself!
Motorcyclists have to wear helmets. In vehicles we wear seatbelts. Shouldn't drink and drive. No shirt, no shoes no service. It all has to do with being a responsible citizen. It is the same theory as LNT, not cutting down live trees, or trashing a site or clogging a portage or putting cans in the latrine. Ok, rant over! I couldn't tell the non-mask wearing man at the grocery store - he would have blasted me - so here it is!
"

Oh, GrandmaL I do so agree with you! And I haven't been to a grocery store (except for pickup that they put right in the trunk of my car) since January!!

I was at our local Ace Hdwe store yesterday to pick up some paint chips. A big sign said not to come in unless you were wearing a mask. (now mandatory in Michigan per our governor). A lady came in without one and they stopped her, offered her a mask, and she did put it on. I was surprised that she arrived without one, but I suppose that is a good way to get one without having to make an effort. Must confess, after some of the blurbs on the Internet about people getting nasty about it, I was holding my breath when they spoke with her.

Grandma L: "I just don't see the big deal involved in mask wearing. Be responsible and considerate of others. Keep your germs to yourself!
Motorcyclists have to wear helmets. In vehicles we wear seatbelts. Shouldn't drink and drive. No shirt, no shoes no service. It all has to do with being a responsible citizen. It is the same theory as LNT, not cutting down live trees, or trashing a site or clogging a portage or putting cans in the latrine. Ok, rant over! I couldn't tell the non-mask wearing man at the grocery store - he would have blasted me - so here it is!
"

+7,000 from me Grandma L. This isn't that hard people!!!!!

Minnesotian: "

mjmkjun: "

jhb8426: "

Minnesotian: "
My buddy and I have already changed our plans on traveling to Wyoming and backpacking the Cloud Peak Wilderness..."

Reasoning on this? Other than the road trip out? Pretty easy to "social distance" there."

Perhaps a flight is involved.
"

Nope, no flight. We just don't like the potential risk involved with making fuel stops, reststops, on the trip.


What this pandemic is teaching me is that most people are taking it seriously, but it only takes a small handful of selfish people to damage me or people I care about, therefore it is up to me to do what I think is safe. I can't rely on this country and state leadership to do the right thing. I wear a mask and accept the dirty looks. I stand 6' away from people and endure the "jokes." At this point, I am settling into the thought that this situation is something I will have to endure until 2022 at least. And to me, that means no unnecessary trips. For my own safety, yes, but for the safety of others.


The greatest generation endured 4 years of a global war after just enduring years of the Dust Bowl and a stock market depression. The people of England endured food rationing until 1949. It shocks me that we are 6 months into a completely manageable pandemic that is anything but managed because of entitled, selfish brats that can't fathom doing the most basic things for the safety of other people.


This pandemic is exposing every crack and fissure in the general accepted social norms of everyday life. How we adapt to this change will decide what survives.


This post isn't directed at any one person on this forum. It is my venting of observations. "

My mother, a Floridian, also calls the maskless "selfish brats," so I laughed when I read your considering them the same. I also get dirty looks from some passersby in various vehicles, for I wear a mask as cars whisk past. It's insane that wearing a mask has become political.

billconner: "

Nigal: "

billconner: "Because of growing number of new cases, New York has added Minnesota (and Wisconsin and Iowa) to the list of states that if you travel to or live in, you must quarantine for 2 weeks upon entering New York.



"

Are they checking people at the border or something? I mean, how do they know where came from if you drive?"

Based on news articles and NYS websites-
First, its New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut together.
Second - blacklisted states as of today:

Third, they have enforcement at all airports requiring you to fill out a form- distributed en route and turned in when you deplane. If you arrive by other means of transit, you are required to self report online.


For the same reason you don't throw tin cans in the thunderbox in BWCAW, you'd follow these rules. Of course breaking the quarantine rules can have much worse consequences than tin cans in the thunderbox.


I don't understand the resistance to basic measures and actions to protect our health and safety. Few fight rules about wearing clothes, why resist masks? Are people trying to deny their own vulnerability? "

I think that for all our connectivity we still shape most of our opinions and view on our own personal experiences. I can’t tell you how many people have told me they think it’s all bullcrap and they don’t know one single person that’s died from it. And now it’s all tied to politics and now that the government will control all reporting data I’d say we’re pretty well screwed.

Minnesotian: "Nope, no flight. We just don't like the potential risk involved with making fuel stops, reststops, on the trip.

What this pandemic is teaching me is that most people are taking it seriously..."

Totally understand your reasoning. Just curious.
Thanks.

Spartan2: "I was at our local Ace Hdwe store... A lady came in without one and they stopped her, offered her a mask, and she did put it on. I was surprised that she arrived without one, but I suppose that is a good way to get one without having to make an effort..."

The Menards store near me offers to sell you one, otherwise you can go to Home Depot.

Nigal: "
I think that for all our connectivity we still shape most of our opinions and view on our own personal experiences. I can’t tell you how many people have told me they think it’s all bullcrap and they don’t know one single person that’s died from it. And now it’s all tied to politics and now that the government will control all reporting data I’d say we’re pretty well screwed. "

+1 I don't understand the deniers. Maybe because I was closer to the refrigerated trailers filled with bodies. And l too am dismayed and disappointed by the leadership or lack thereof.

billconner: "Because of growing number of new cases, New York has added Minnesota (and Wisconsin and Iowa) to the list of states that if you travel to or live in, you must quarantine for 2 weeks upon entering New York.


"

I know this is no laughing matter, but I did laugh when New York put many of those states on the quarantine list, New York should of been on everyone’s quarantine list not the other way around. I know New York is desperate but come on...doesn’t affect me I wouldn’t go to New York at this time anyway. BTW we had a couple of days of upward numbers it was then 5 days now in a row of lower numbers all of this with a higher testing percent than New York. I had a friend get tested for COVID luckily negative but got the test back in less than 8 hours...I’d say we are WAY ahead of New York.

T

Everyone knows that smoking cigarettes and drinking booze leads to negative health issues and even an early death. Surely addicts of narcotics know using their drug will likely kill them. And people know SDT’s have serious health consequences. Yet many people plow ahead, seemingly oblivious to the danger. They value the instant gratification over the long-term consequences. Feelings over science.

It is truly an odd phenomenon. We have an insular religious group in my area that is usually all about following rules and laws-high compliance. They usually are all about caring for the elderly, etc. For some reason, they are the main offenders about non-mask wearing. They are fanatical about it. I have been in stores where they are the only ones not wearing a mask and they seem very proud of it. Rebels in the plague. LOL

I really want to interview them in stores and find out exactly why. I am assuming they think Satan is trying to deceive them or something. God knows what is being said in services or where they are getting their information.

I was waiting at a gas station behind an elderly man (without a mask) talking to a cashier (without a mask). I was the lone mask wearer in the store (dirty looks from several men in the store). The cashier asked the elderly man if he was feeling any better and he described COVID-19 symptoms.....No one even flinched. I am so confused....

Amy, I once worked on a spinal injury ward at a big hospital. I did the basic body-maintenance work, such as emptying urine and colostomy bags, feeding, and preventing bedsores. Several of my patients were young men, stripped of movement below the neck, forever wounded by motorcycles. I think of those young men, so livid at their situation that they wouldn't talk, whenever I see a young man weaving a motorcycle through traffic, sometimes without a helmet.

That sense of immortality pre-accident reminds me of those who won't wear masks or socially distance.

I saw a photo this morning of angry parents in Provo, Utah who don't want their kids to be mandated to wear masks to school and all these parents had crowded into one room, lining the walls, maskless, and sitting side-by-side-by-side even though they'd be instructed to leave empty chairs between them. And when I saw that photo, again, I remember the angry young men who needed me to wet their lips and treat their bedsores and take away their bodies' waste.

Yes. I really would recommend anybody reread The Plague by Camus related to human behavior. It’s really fascinating.

Sounds like The Stand is a good one, too. I’ll check that out. I do remember the title, but I’ll have to refresh on the content.

Wow this thread is going into many directions. Back to the original question.

No I don’t see the BWCA closing again this year. We are halfway through the busy season. I see nothing in the news that would warrant closing the area. There has been very few cases of Covid up there.

Portage99: "Yes. I really would recommend anybody reread The Plague by Camus related to human behavior. It’s really fascinating.


Sounds like The Stand is a good one, too. I’ll check that out. I do remember the title, but I’ll have to refresh on the content."

The Stand is a movie too, usually shown in Part1/Part2 on television. Not as good as the book but they did a pretty good job making the movie. A great watch for folks sitting at home escaping the heat or virus. Not for the little kiddos.

timatkn: "

billconner: "Because of growing number of new cases, New York has added Minnesota (and Wisconsin and Iowa) to the list of states that if you travel to or live in, you must quarantine for 2 weeks upon entering New York.



"

I know this is no laughing matter, but I did laugh when New York put many of those states on the quarantine list, New York should of been on everyone’s quarantine list not the other way around. I know New York is desperate but come on...doesn’t affect me I wouldn’t go to New York at this time anyway. BTW we had a couple of days of upward numbers it was then 5 days now in a row of lower numbers all of this with a higher testing percent than New York. I had a friend get tested for COVID luckily negative but got the test back in less than 8 hours...I’d say we are WAY ahead of New York.


T"

Well, MN has twice as many new cases per day per 100,000 people than New York. Only New England states, NJ, and Hawaii have fewer.

billconner: "

timatkn: "

billconner: "Because of growing number of new cases, New York has added Minnesota (and Wisconsin and Iowa) to the list of states that if you travel to or live in, you must quarantine for 2 weeks upon entering New York.



"

I know this is no laughing matter, but I did laugh when New York put many of those states on the quarantine list, New York should of been on everyone’s quarantine list not the other way around. I know New York is desperate but come on...doesn’t affect me I wouldn’t go to New York at this time anyway. BTW we had a couple of days of upward numbers it was then 5 days now in a row of lower numbers all of this with a higher testing percent than New York. I had a friend get tested for COVID luckily negative but got the test back in less than 8 hours...I’d say we are WAY ahead of New York.



T"

Well, MN has twice as many new cases per day per 100,000 people than New York. Only New England states, NJ, and Hawaii have fewer. "

New York currently has 2,081 COVID-19 infected people per 100,000 compared to 786 per 100,000 in Minnesota. Yes currently New York has less percentage of daily cases...they have a LONG way to go to catch up to MN or we have a long way to catch up to their infamous numbers and New York is starting to open up a little Sorry I have no confidence in New York’s ability to manage this crisis. So yes we should quarantine them, not them us...

Good to know that MN is trying hard to catch up. Being the main entry to US did cause NY significant loss of life.

PS: your numbers are totals, since the beginning, correct? Not current cases? At least that's what I conclude by looking at statistics from several sites

timatkn: "

billconner: "

timatkn: "

billconner: "Because of growing number of new cases, New York has added Minnesota (and Wisconsin and Iowa) to the list of states that if you travel to or live in, you must quarantine for 2 weeks upon entering New York.




"

I know this is no laughing matter, but I did laugh when New York put many of those states on the quarantine list, New York should of been on everyone’s quarantine list not the other way around. I know New York is desperate but come on...doesn’t affect me I wouldn’t go to New York at this time anyway. BTW we had a couple of days of upward numbers it was then 5 days now in a row of lower numbers all of this with a higher testing percent than New York. I had a friend get tested for COVID luckily negative but got the test back in less than 8 hours...I’d say we are WAY ahead of New York.



T"

Well, MN has twice as many new cases per day per 100,000 people than New York. Only New England states, NJ, and Hawaii have fewer. "

New York currently has 2,081 COVID-19 infected people per 100,000 compared to 786 per 100,000 in Minnesota. Yes currently New York has less percentage of daily cases...they have a LONG way to go to catch up to MN or we have a long way to catch up to their infamous numbers and New York is starting to open up a little Sorry I have no confidence in New York’s ability to manage this crisis. So yes we should quarantine them, not them us..."

Much like post 9-11, New Yorkers have suffered more intimately than most of the rest of us. They heard the non-stop sirens. They saw the dead being stacked outside their funeral homes. I understand their caution and honor it.

billconner: "Good to know that MN is trying hard to catch up. Being the main entry to US did cause NY significant loss of life.

PS: your numbers are totals, since the beginning, correct? Not current cases? At least that's what I conclude by looking at statistics from several sites "

Their subways and crowded sidewalks and elevators must have been disease vectors too. BTW, I love NYC's crowded sidewalks, but they likely made them vulnerable and I can't imagine a more perilous-19 place than a subway or elevator, where everyone is sharing air.

Well, NYC is less than half the citizens of NY, and news suggests some if not many moving out of NYC. Good time to rent an apartment or buy I read. It is 5 to 6 hours drive from where I live.

Summer folks did have a party on 4th - all in boats tied together on St Lawrence - and that resulted in 25-30 new cases over a weeks time. NYS rolled out a rapid testing station and tested 400 in a day - town of 1800. Interesting.

I wish all states had a statewide mask mandate and enforced it like NY is. And closed bars and such.

Just a reminder for those of us who are facially hirsute; if we want the masks to live up to their advertised effectiveness we must be clean shaven. Men with beards wearing masks is one more group to be added to the "selfish brats".

Savage Voyageur: "Wow this thread is going into many directions. Back to the original question.


No I don’t see the BWCA closing again this year. We are halfway through the busy season. I see nothing in the news that would warrant closing the area. There has been very few cases of Covid up there. "

I would ask how do you know that? The fuzzy thing is if anyone DOES get sick up there it counts as a mark against where they are from not from the area of BWCAW.

We are overrun with tourists again ( expected each summer) and everyone of them that gets sick gets counted in their home state. I don't believe for a minute that there have only been a dozen or so cases in the entire state per day in the last week. We are running 8-10 with occasional spike over 20 a day.. Those from Mass who come to Maine and expose others in Maine get counted in Mass.

That said the BWCA is a great place to try social distancing.

Savage Voyageur: "Wow this thread is going into many directions. Back to the original question.


No I don’t see the BWCA closing again this year. We are halfway through the busy season. I see nothing in the news that would warrant closing the area. There has been very few cases of Covid up there. "

Yes sorry, thanks for the re direct :) I agree I doubt it closes again. At this point though anything is possible. I have a trip off the Gunflint on 8/17, I am prepared either way.

T

As far as I know, being a registered voter for either party or how you choose to worship is any protection from '19. If it were I'd get a red had and sing in the choir. Keep the BWCA open and free of political BS. Common sense and common courtesy .

yellowcanoe: "

Savage Voyageur: "Wow this thread is going into many directions. Back to the original question.



No I don’t see the BWCA closing again this year. We are halfway through the busy season. I see nothing in the news that would warrant closing the area. There has been very few cases of Covid up there. "

I would ask how do you know that? The fuzzy thing is if anyone DOES get sick up there it counts as a mark against where they are from not from the area of BWCAW.


We are overrun with tourists again ( expected each summer) and everyone of them that gets sick gets counted in their home state. I don't believe for a minute that there have only been a dozen or so cases in the entire state per day in the last week. We are running 8-10 with occasional spike over 20 a day.. Those from Mass who come to Maine and expose others in Maine get counted in Mass.


That said the BWCA is a great place to try social distancing."

I said they have not had that many Covid cases up there, and I think this was a correct statement. Covid map
Click on Lake and Cook county and they have had a total of 13 cases and zero deaths. I would call that not many compared to most others in the state. If you add up all the other counties in the state there has been 45,000 more cases in the other counties. With only 13 cases in the two counties the number of outsiders getting Covid and going home again would be small.

We don't have many people who are permanent residents of most of the state and hence the numbers are low.
Remember the glitch is cases are reported by county of residency ( or state) and not where the people currently are. We have had tourists become ill hereand they do not show up in our state numbers but rather in their own state of residence.

But the closing of a wilderness area seems to be a very overdone measure. Like using a jackhammer where a thumbtack would do.

Unas10: "Just a reminder for those of us who are facially hirsute; if we want the masks to live up to their advertised effectiveness we must be clean shaven. Men with beards wearing masks is one more group to be added to the "selfish brats"."

This had been bothering me all day. It seems to be true to maintain the effectiveness of N99 and N95 masks like medical workers need, but not for those if us wearing in public. My understanding is masks are to protect other people from the wearers germs.

Article

Bill, I agree. If you are using a mask that fully protects you while inhaling then a tight seal requires no facial hair. But for one that protects everyone else on exhale, coughing, or sneezing, a cloth mask will help regardless of facial hair. For those masks, it isn’t about perfection but just reducing transmission.

I stopped shaving when I was 18. Did not like the idea of restarting after 50 years.

I may have some business travel and considering the face shield in combo with cloth "face covering" as they are often called.

andym: "Bill, I agree. If you are using a mask that fully protects you while inhaling then a tight seal requires no facial hair. But for one that protects everyone else on exhale, coughing, or sneezing, a cloth mask will help regardless of facial hair. For those masks, it isn’t about perfection but just reducing transmission."

I tell my skeptical friends to stand in front of their bathroom mirror and sneeze without covering their face. Now do it will covering your fave with a hanky while you sneeze. Same concept. I don’t wear a mask for me, I wear it for you.

Savage Voyageur: "....they have had a total of 13 cases and zero deaths. "

Not sure why you excluded St Louis County (includes Ely and a lot of BWCAW) but according to path to zero statistics- every county in US - considerably more there. Spot on for Lake and Cook.

St Louis - 278 cases/16 deaths/3.9 new cases per 100,000/pop 199,700
Lake - 12 cases/0 deaths/8.1 new cases per 100,000/pop 10,641
Cook - 1 case/0 deaths/0 new cases per 100,000/pop 5,393

I'd guess the Lake county new cases is insignificant - like 1 in 20 days - and that St Louis is keeping it under control.

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

Yeah, the teaming masses keep coming up here, even though we have no ICU beds, but have a large elderly population...

We will be part of the masses heading north next week. Our only stop will be to get gas and possibly a road side bathroom stop (kids). I will be calling our outfitter and asking them what their wishes are for our arrival. We could realistically do everything with zero contact and if that's their wishes, I'm ok with that.

arctic: "Yeah, the teaming masses keep coming up here, even though we have no ICU beds, but have a large elderly population..."

That is a tough balance. So far in Maine we are fine but are the oldest age state in the nation yet depend on tourism
Some of us locals can be described as "prickly" if the tourists don't distance and wear masks.

That is a pretty easy thing to do. The harder part is remembering.

arctic: "Yeah, the teaming masses keep coming up here, even though we have no ICU beds, but have a large elderly population..."

I’m guessing like here, anyone needing advanced stuff like ICU and ventilators would end up in Duluth.

There are so many nice people on this site and I was using it as a respite from all of this political stuff. But alas, it is everywhere. Generalizations of people and labeling them with names.

Some people see the math on this mask thing. Covid -19 is less than 1 micron and a N95 mask only filters out 3 microns. You can't say that your logic on a mask (It may help; why not contribute?) is any different than the "Mask Math" logic

Some people see a mask as something that can protect them. It makes you feel safer and every one wants to feel safe. Some see it as the government pretending to protect you because a 1 micron virus can easily move past a 3 micron filter. They see the government's logic as incongruent with the physics.

Reminds me of the Bear Container requirements discussion. Some people think it is too great an inconvenience, others think it is good for the bears and BWCA. Why no Ursaks!...What is the Forest Service thinking? This is for the Bears. All those terrible people leaving trash.

I leave with this:

For the non-mask people: Have a little empathy. Understand people are scared. Show some compassion.

For the Mask Wears: It is not up to every person you meet to make you feel safe. That is between your own ears.

You can respond, but I won't see it...I am staying away from this thread. I come here to make my dreams of canoe country a little more real.

Best Regards to all my fellow wilderness travelers. We have sooooo much in common. We should focus on that.

Wharfrat63: "There are so many nice people on this site and I was using it as a respite from all of this political stuff. But alas, it is everywhere. Generalizations of people and labeling them with names.


Some people see the math on this mask thing. Covid -19 is less than 1 micron and a N95 mask only filters out 3 microns. You can't say that your logic on a mask (It may help; why not contribute?) is any different than the "Mask Math" logic


Some people see a mask as something that can protect them. It makes you feel safer and every one wants to feel safe. Some see it as the government pretending to protect you because a 1 micron virus can easily move past a 3 micron filter. They see the government's logic as incongruent with the physics.


Reminds me of the Bear Container requirements discussion. Some people think it is too great an inconvenience, others think it is good for the bears and BWCA. Why no Ursaks!...What is the Forest Service thinking? This is for the Bears. All those terrible people leaving trash.


I leave with this:


For the non-mask people: Have a little empathy. Understand people are scared. Show some compassion.


For the Mask Wears: It is not up to every person you meet to make you feel safe. That is between your own ears.


You can respond, but I won't see it...I am staying away from this thread. I come here to make my dreams of canoe country a little more real.


Best Regards to all my fellow wilderness travelers. We have sooooo much in common. We should focus on that.



"

Starts post commenting on politics seeping into everything.

Then makes a political post to continue the seeping.

Seems legit...

May you be happy, healthy and have a life of ease.