The executive order that was signed by the president mandates mask wearing on federal property including national parks.
The executive order that was signed by the president mandates mask wearing on federal property including national parks.
More walking, less talking.
Thanks Leo L, and 4eyedbuzzard.
Those spikey things on the Corona cell is what makes it so dangerous attaching to lungs and attacking our white cells.
So we are building a defense system that allows our cell to break off those spikey things and make it a fair fight, yes ?
My second shot lines up with a hike i have planned next month, that will be interesting.
"Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
Call for his whisky
He can call for his tea
Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
Robert Hunter & Ron McKernan
Whiteblaze.net User Agreement.
Here's the EO link.
"Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
Call for his whisky
He can call for his tea
Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
Robert Hunter & Ron McKernan
Whiteblaze.net User Agreement.
Vaccines protect us in two ways - at the individual level and the societal level. An individual who gets vaccinated (you for instance ) will be protected against the virus and be safe from getting ill right away. On a societal level, herd immunity will prevent epidemics and help protect those folks who can't be vaccinated and those who fail to adequately respond to the vaccine. The vaccine is already working on the individual level and hopefully also on the societal level by the fall.
If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.
If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.
The EO does not exactly mandate mask wearing.
From Section 1: "individuals in Federal buildings and on Federal lands should all wear masks".
From Section 2: "to require compliance with CDC guidelines with respect to wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and other public health measures..."
The CDC does not mandate masks, it encourages it. I don't even know if the CDC has the statutory authority to mandate anything.
Please read the order, and not news articles about it.
Be Prepared
I just watched the WH press sec. and she called it a mask mandate. Whatever.
Be Prepared
So, I'm miles from a trail head and there are no other hikers anywhere near me while I'm charging along on the AT. I'm on National Forest land (federal land) and don't have my mask on. So I'm in violation?
I'll start by saying I recognize that trails are pretty far off from people at times. However your scenario assumes something you can't assume. That nobody will be around your space shortly. But I expect someone will come up with something more tightly defined. So I am going to jump ahead. We are not going to sit here and argue about whether people agree with it. We'll get it figured out but it has to trickle down through the executive departments first.
So it says "...as appropriate and consistent with applicable law". Later there is room for case-by-case exceptions. The EO applies in its entirety. It's not always sufficient to pull out bits and pieces though, so read it through.Sec. 2. Immediate Action Regarding Federal Employees, Contractors, Buildings, and Lands. (a) The heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall immediately take action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to require compliance with CDC guidelines with respect to wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and other public health measures by: on-duty or on-site Federal employees; on-site Federal contractors; and all persons in Federal buildings or on Federal lands.
"Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
Call for his whisky
He can call for his tea
Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
Robert Hunter & Ron McKernan
Whiteblaze.net User Agreement.
My interpretation of the EO is that where adequate social physical distancing is maintained, then the mask wouldn't be required, such as when hiking away from others. Masks probably would be required in a crowded parking area, when passing others on a trail, etc. even though outside. I wouldn't read in a literal draconian interpretation. The agency I work for has, beginning last March, required all federal employees, contractors, and ANYONE in the facility to wear masks except when maintaining social distancing when eating etc. They are not required when outside and at suitable distance from other people. So this EO really isn't anything new beyond what we were already doing. The EO also calls on "Independent Agencies" to participate. The largest of these "Independent Agencies" is the Post Office. My wife reports that they have had numerous problems with customers who refuse to wear masks, but have been unable to enforce their existing mask policy, which has also been in place since early last year. There are signs on the doors, etc. requiring masks, but some people feel such restrictions don't apply to them for a variety of reasons. Hopefully this EO will put some teeth into already existing policies. Her P.O. has Postal Inspectors offices directly above the P.O. I'm hoping they call them down now to confront these people and escort them out until they comply.
CDC themselves doesn't have the power to mandate masks, however, legislation and regulations can cite CDC guidelines and/or recommendations thus making them enforceable. This citation process is similar to how building and electrical codes, etc. written by non-legislative and even non-government entities become enforceable regulations.
In the end, all this is no different to me than signs at stores that say "No shirt, no shoes - no service". It's a matter of both public health and also of common courtesy. It's a shame we have to go to these lengths to get people to do the right thing.
Last edited by 4eyedbuzzard; 01-22-2021 at 18:59.
"That's the thing about possum innards - they's just as good the second day." - Jed Clampett
I'm not being argumentative on wearing masks, I wear one in public and I don't even notice it anymore.
What I am curious about, however, is how much of the AT is actually on Federal lands.
Sure, it's part of the NPS and protected by the federal government, but I thought quite a bit of the actual land was owned by lots of various entities, like states (counties, municipalities, even private land with easements). Sure, lots of the trail miles are in National forests and national parks (GSMNP, SNP). I wonder if there are any trail-mile ownership stats out there (I looked, could not find very quickly).
Approximately half of the trail is on NPS or USFS land. "The trail follows the spine of the Appalachian Mountains, passing through 14 states and six national parks, eight national forests (which contain 1,015 miles, or 47 percent of the trail), two national wildlife refuges, 67 state-owned land areas (e.g., game lands, forests, or parks), and more than a dozen local municipal watershed properties." Source: https://www.nps.gov/appa/learn/manag...report-web.pdf
"That's the thing about possum innards - they's just as good the second day." - Jed Clampett
There was some speculation in another thread that the hut crews in NH might be vaccinated early. The NH phased plan for vaccination is located here. If the hut crews actually get classified as first responders post a link.
I will not succumb to ageism. A team of physically fit 65+ year olds might be assembled potentially from other states even, but I expect major bidding wars from the other hospitality sectors for their services.
Hump that box up a mountain...cruise ship...hump that box up the mountain...cruise ship.
"Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
Call for his whisky
He can call for his tea
Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
Robert Hunter & Ron McKernan
Whiteblaze.net User Agreement.
AMC has apparently started emailing back hut croo applicants and setting up interviews. https://www.reddit.com/r/wmnf/commen...tion_info_for/
"That's the thing about possum innards - they's just as good the second day." - Jed Clampett
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has a list of AT closures here.
I've been watching some vlogs from the vanguard of the 2021 AT thru-hiking class and was wondering how they will deal with some of these. In Massachusetts, in particular, there is a ban on overnight camping. I guess the hope is that these will be lifted in a few months when the hikers start to roll in - otherwise things could expensive with town stays.
Last edited by futureatwalker; 01-28-2021 at 12:39.
(trailname: Paul-from-Scotland)
A ban on overnight camping! I just saw that the state park campgrounds are still closed and they aren't yet taking reservations b/c they don't know when they'll reopen campgrounds.
Be Prepared
I had been thinking a SOBO would mean things would be “fixed” enough to have a mostly normal experience.
Not so confident in that now.