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  2020-08-29

  Demand for Boating

  The pandemic has lasted a lot longer than initially expected and has consumed the entire summer while putting restrictions on many summertime activities. One of the few summertime activities to be preserved despite the pandemic is boating. Many people wanted to get their hands on a boat as it was one of the few things you could do. I have been working at my dad’s boatyard for countless summers, and this past year, 2020, was one of the busiest I’ve seen. To start, we were set back by a few weeks as in late March and early April, businesses that weren’t deemed essential were closed. When we did open up, there was a high demand. Every customer wants their boat serviced first; this year there was an extra-long waiting list. Not every customer of ours uses their boat every year, but this year most did. Due to the social distancing restrictions, many saw this year as the perfect time to get their own boat. The place I work does not sell boats, we only service, fix, and store for the winter, but when driving by and there are countless boats parked in the yard, occasionally people will stop to inquire about purchasing a boat. Unfortunately, we have to direct them elsewhere. This year, I felt these visits were more frequent, reflecting the nationwide demand. Lastly, there were a few parts and products we used that were hard to get hold of this year. Our dealers had less stock, and often parts took longer to arrive. COVID-19 has affected a multitude of industries, some for the better.
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  2020-11-09

  Mandatory Mask Zone

  When COVID-19 was initially declared a global pandemic, there were many precautionary measures put in place to contain the virus. People began covering their nose and mouth at all times with face shields and masks to prevent the spread. The idea was that when someone needed to leave their house for groceries or work, they would wear a mask. It became a normal thing to cover your nose and mouth by wearing a mask. It became one of the things you couldn’t leave your house without. Before you always had to remember your phone, wallet, and keys, but now your mask was just as important. Stores and restaurants had big signs on their windows and doors reminding you to keep your face covered. Often it was required before you could enter. There was a greater chance of the virus spread when in enclosed buildings with little space and inadequate airflow. The rule of masks was much more relaxed when outside. There was less of a risk due to the open space for proper social distancing and open air. When summer rolled around and COVID-19 was still as big of a threat as it ever was, people looked for places to go outside to enjoy the summer weather. A hot spot, as it usually is in the summer, was the waterfront area of my hometown, Plymouth, MA. Positive COVID cases were still rising, so the measures to limit the spread of the virus had to be increased. Town officials made the entire waterfront a “mandatory mask zone,” even when outside. Signs were placed on nearly every street sign to remind people to cover their face.