A Joint Message from the Lyme Emergency Operations Center

Good afternoon all,

We would like to put out a few reminders in regards to our current state of emergency:

We wanted to remind everyone that there are Governors Orders and CDC guidelines that we should all be adhering to.

Exercise and outdoor activities are a great way to break up the monotony but it should also be done safely and at the least amount of risk of contact with the virus causing COVID-19 infection and injury.

If you are hiking the Appalachian Trail or Skiing at the Dartmouth Skiway and get injured, you now have placed dozens of First Responders in harm’s way as they work to provide medical aide and extricate you from the trail/mountain. Even one Responder who is quarantined drastically changes the response to further calls.

Please be diligent in keeping with guidelines regarding social distancing and keeping hands and clothing clean. 

With that comes the reminders about PARKING. While we know folks are eager to get out but, the same rules apply as always: NO PARKING IN OR ON THE ROADWAYS AT ANY TIME!!!

If you arrive at your destination and parking is not available OFF THE ROAD, then move on! The trailhead on the dirt section of the Dorchester Road has been an issue for the last couple of weeks. The intersection of River Road and East Thetford Rd is NOT A PARKING AREA EITHER! PLEASE obey this simple Law.

Please stay safe and well during this difficult time,

AND

As we wait and watch for both the coming of Spring and the rising Covid-19 numbers in our state and across the US we would like to take the opportunity to reinforce that this disease is serious and what you can do.   The virus causing Covid-19 infections is opportunistic and very efficient at spreading. Our ONLY DEFENSE at the moment is not physically connecting with others outside our family unit. We understand that the Governor’s order stated no gatherings larger than 10, but this weekend a large number of groups appeared to have been challenged with following the physical distance recommendations, understandably, because 6 feet is not our usual physical distance spacing, more like 2-3 feet.   We strongly recommend not gathering in groups outside of your family unit.

All it takes is for one person who is unknowingly spreading the virus before they have symptoms.  Up to 25% of infected people are thought to be able to spread the virus before becoming ill and without ever showing symptoms of becoming ill. Which brings us to another point. Wear facemasks when in public particularly into places you know will bring you into close range with others, for example the grocery store, picking up your take out foods, in the pharmacy.  The homemade masks are not perfect protection and as mentioned before you must continue the other strategies you have learned.  The mask can reduce your ability to infect others by reducing viral spray from your mouth.

This is about the human race against a deadly virus we can’t see but we can win if we unite in this common goal; flatten the curve and recommit to doing your part in reducing the spread and staying healthy.

Shaun O’Keefe                                                        Margaret Caudill-Slosberg

Chief of Police                                                         Emergency Management Director