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I will preface this post by saying I am a firm believer in taking reasonable precautions and following the recommendation of public health professionals. I've been staying at home 95% of the time, only going out for essential shopping (e.g. groceries) and occasional take-out meals. I practice the Three W's. I believe the Town of Boone is way over-reaching.
After a five-hour video meeting on Thursday night, June 21, the Boone Town Council (minus one member and the mayor) voted 3-1 to enact COVID-19 restrictions that are far tighter than the rest of Watauga County and the State of NC (Phase 2). Not only did they maintain 14-day self quarantine for anyone coming in from outside the county, but they are prohibiting anyone from outside Watauga County from shopping in the Town of Boone among other restrictions.
I live full-time less than 100 yards from the Watauga County line, and based on these new restrictions, I am not allowed "to enter any establishment open to the public (within the Boone town limits) other than medical offices and medical facilities unless and until such time as (I) have stayed in Watauga County for an uninterrupted overnight stay of at least 14 days" or have tested negative for COVID-19.
As one can imagine, they are getting a huge backlash on FB and elsewhere. The Boone Chamber of Commerce has issued a strongly worded criticism. The Village of Blowing Rock is following the lead of Watauga County gov't and the State of NC's phased plan.
If you are interested, here is more reading on the matter from High Country Press.
Hot off the press!!!!! Hotel owners took the town to court this afternoon.
From the Winston-Salem Journal:
A judge has temporarily stopped the town of Boone from forcing visitors to wait 14 days before entering most businesses and other places that are open to the public.
Superior Court Judge R. Gregory Horne issued a temporary restraining order Friday evening that forbids the town from enforcing a declaration it passed on Thursday that imposed the waiting period.
Absolutely. What were they going to do... force employees to check ID's for everyone who walks in the door?
And how is it ok to say that Boone residents can shop at at WalMart, Publix, Harris Teater, etc. but Avery County residents (for example) who live 12 miles away cannot?
Absolutely. What were they going to do... force employees to check ID's for everyone who walks in the door?
And how is it ok to say that Boone residents can shop at at WalMart, Publix, Harris Teater, etc. but Avery County residents (for example) who live 12 miles away cannot?
Yes, absolutely amazing that duly elected people assumed to command moderate intelligence and in all likelihood a staff lawyer advising them could come up with such a hair-brained plan.
Of course, in all my years of dealing with county commissioners and town councils, I have seen some doozies for sure.
This is what comes of no Federal plan. Leaving it to states, counties, towns without any central leadership. Gad, what a mess.
The federal government has issued guidelines but their power and authority is limited under the Constitution, specifically the 10th Amendment, which is why the Governors have the power to decide when/how to reopen their states (and why all states are doing it slightly differently).
We live in a neighboring county to Boone. Our neighbors just went over to pick up a prescription in Boone.
They said the place had a ghost town atmosphere this morning.
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