PSA: MOUNTAIN TOWNS ARE NOT SAFE HAVENS DURING COVID-19
Sorry folks, this is not a time for a roadtrip.
There seems to be this strange perception that mountain towns are safe in the wake of the current COVID-19 crisis. Safe to whom? Most of these small communities have limited medical resources, in fact, the town of Jackson, Wyoming only has 10 ventilators. All it takes is one asymptomatic person with the virus to potentially overload an already tiny medical center.
Does this situation sound particularly safe to an immunocompromised 65-year-old who lives here?
Mountain towns all throughout the U.S. are making the same plea to visitors: Please stay home. Visit Mammoth Lakes recently released a statement asking anyone who wasn’t a primary resident of the area to stay away temporarily. And while these statements might feel blunt to visitors, please understand that they’re hard to make. Small communities are largely driven by tourism. Cutting off this the essential source of revenue equates to a catastrophic loss of hotel, restaurant, and other customer service jobs. We’re already seeing this play out in Jackson with a large portion of the community currently unemployed. Rather than add stress to our already spread thin resources, consider making a donation to our local food bank.
Instead of going on an epic road trip right now, use your time at home to plan a vacation when the pandemic settles down. All these communities would love your business—just not right now.
Mar 20, 2020 By: Katie Lozancich [Read More / Follow Her Instagram]
Sapphire Valley / High South Adventures Webmaster Note:
We all make a living on tourism, vacation rentals and the 2nd home industry here in The High South. The Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Escarpment are great places to live and visit - mountain vistas, cascading waterfalls, miles and miles of hiking trails, golf, tennis, etc. etc.
However, mountain towns just do not have the resources to deal with a crisis like COVID-19 for the locals plus deal with a influx of visitors that very well may bring the virus to our back doors. Our restaurants have limited hours and are take out only. Our grocery stores are struggling to stay stocked as flat-landers panic and buy too much of everything!
We will get thru this and The High South will still be here -- as inspiring as ever.
Our slogan is Sapphire Valley and The High South: Come.Play! ... but right now for our vacation visitors and 2nd homeowners, please - Stay. Plan!
Sorry folks, this is not a time for a roadtrip.
There seems to be this strange perception that mountain towns are safe in the wake of the current COVID-19 crisis. Safe to whom? Most of these small communities have limited medical resources, in fact, the town of Jackson, Wyoming only has 10 ventilators. All it takes is one asymptomatic person with the virus to potentially overload an already tiny medical center.
Does this situation sound particularly safe to an immunocompromised 65-year-old who lives here?
Mountain towns all throughout the U.S. are making the same plea to visitors: Please stay home. Visit Mammoth Lakes recently released a statement asking anyone who wasn’t a primary resident of the area to stay away temporarily. And while these statements might feel blunt to visitors, please understand that they’re hard to make. Small communities are largely driven by tourism. Cutting off this the essential source of revenue equates to a catastrophic loss of hotel, restaurant, and other customer service jobs. We’re already seeing this play out in Jackson with a large portion of the community currently unemployed. Rather than add stress to our already spread thin resources, consider making a donation to our local food bank.
Instead of going on an epic road trip right now, use your time at home to plan a vacation when the pandemic settles down. All these communities would love your business—just not right now.
Mar 20, 2020 By: Katie Lozancich [Read More / Follow Her Instagram]
Sapphire Valley / High South Adventures Webmaster Note:
We all make a living on tourism, vacation rentals and the 2nd home industry here in The High South. The Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Escarpment are great places to live and visit - mountain vistas, cascading waterfalls, miles and miles of hiking trails, golf, tennis, etc. etc.
However, mountain towns just do not have the resources to deal with a crisis like COVID-19 for the locals plus deal with a influx of visitors that very well may bring the virus to our back doors. Our restaurants have limited hours and are take out only. Our grocery stores are struggling to stay stocked as flat-landers panic and buy too much of everything!
We will get thru this and The High South will still be here -- as inspiring as ever.
Our slogan is Sapphire Valley and The High South: Come.Play! ... but right now for our vacation visitors and 2nd homeowners, please - Stay. Plan!
Local Donation Opportunities:
Cashiers Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry
Cashiers Glenville Volunteer Fire Department
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