Protesters aim to discourage tourists
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LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (WPTZ) — Protesters in the Tri-Lakes area hope to discourage tourists from coming to the region, saying lives are more important than business.
Kelly Lynn Thorsdottir is worried about COVID-19 cases spreading to rural communities across the globe, and says places like Lake Placid shouldn’t reopen until science proves it is safe.
“I don’t want to see people go broke. I don’t want to see people lose their businesses, but people are going to lose their lives. What’s more important?” said Thorsdottir.
Some Lake Placid businesses sold to customers curbside over the holiday weekend, where residents and visitors could browse through items such as souvenirs, T-shirts, and books.
“This weekend it definitely was a lot of new people into the area, and that has us all, I think everyone, scared at the moment, and that’s why we have new protocols in place to make it as safe for everybody,” said Sarah Galvin, co-owner of The Bookstore Plus on Main Street.
Galvin says they have a strict mask-wearing policy for customers and staff, with hand sanitizer available.
She says after a rough spring season, they need any business just to help keep the lights on, and that’s why reopening is necessary.
“I think if we do it in a responsible, managed way, yeah we’ve got to keep going, you know? It’s one foot in front of the other, that’s the only way we got through the past couple of months. That’s the only way we’re gonna get any progress in the future,” she said. “We’ve got to be smart, and responsible, listen to the data that’s out there and make the best decision.”
The silent protesters say they want to respectfully discourage the tourism, because they don’t want people from out of town taking resources from locals in a time of crisis or spreading the virus to people in the area who have compromised immune systems.
Some of the signs read: “Turn around. Take the virus back down.” “Tourists go back. Stay out of the ‘Dacks’.”
Thorsdottir says when business reopen, there has to be more concrete guidance from health departments and stricter rules for operation.
“It is too soon. We are not against business. We are not against capitalism, but we are absolutely for responsible, humane, humane, opening of this and consideration,” she said.
They say they care for their neighbors first and foremost, and a peaceful assembly using signage on cars will help get their point across.
“We are not stopping, we intend to be out here every weekend and we are encouraging others to get out whenever, wherever they can,” said Thorsdottir.
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