Letter: Massachusetts travel policy seems inconsistent

Posted 1/26/21

To the editor:

I am curious about the Barrington School District policy of not allowing day trips to a place like Wachusett mountain. I personally have no vested interest in this because we …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Letter: Massachusetts travel policy seems inconsistent

Posted

To the editor:

I am curious about the Barrington School District policy of not allowing day trips to a place like Wachusett mountain. I personally have no vested interest in this because we don’t ski there at all, but my question is on behalf of a large number of families over confusion on travel to Massachusetts.

So a day trip (less than 24 hours) to Wachusett is not allowed without quarantining, but taking karate classes at Rocky Silva’s is okay? What about indoor soccer practice at Won Sports in Seekonk? How about gymnastics at Prestige in Swansea? How about shopping for an hour or two at Seekonk Square?

If travel to Massachusetts is prohibited, then so too should be all those activities (which seems ridiculous). The state of Rhode Island always operated with a policy that less than 24 hours in our neighboring state does not require quarantine.

If travel to Massachusetts for a day trip is prohibited, it should be unilateral. That is not only ridiculous, but impossible to enforce. I think the town needs some clarification of the rules and consistency amongst them. (Now that Massachusetts was removed from the travel advisory list this week, perhaps this policy will change.)
Also, on a side note: skiing is one of the best, COVID safe activities. I do not enjoy skiing personally, as I hate being cold, so I am not writing this for my own interest. But the town should be encouraging wonderful ways to enjoy the outdoors during the winter. I still find it absolutely counterintuitive that middle and high school basketball — a high contact sport — is allowed, but skiing at Wachusett would not be.

Kristen Pearse

Barrington

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.