A recent article in the Concord Monitor reported on planning for Motorcycle Week by Laconia officials. What are those officials and Gov. Sununu’s office doing to make this a safe event?
Motorcycle Week is a festive gathering for New Hampshire residents and travelers from all over. It is a packed gathering, and all these people converging on New Hampshire in the midst of an international pandemic is a threat to all of us who live here. We have remained isolated, taking precautions in public, to protect our families and whoever we come into contact with.
Bike Week visitors will shop in the Laconia area and in Concord, wearing masks or not, observing social distancing or not, having their temperatures taken or not, all while traveling around the state and possibly sharing COVID-19 infections. Does any of this make sense?
If all New Hampshire’s traditional county fairs from Sandwich to Deerfield to Lancaster are canceled because of health concerns, how can the state allow Motorcycle Week to take place? If the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair at Mount Sunapee State Park is canceled because of safety and health concerns, why is Motorcycle Week okay? The bottom line is money over safety, I’m afraid.
Lastly, I cannot imagine expecting the crowds at Motorcycle Week being required to wear face masks or keeping social distancing. The state doesn’t even require wearing helmets for safety.
Please consider the public health implications of carrying out Motorcycle Week during this devastating pandemic.
AUDREY V. SYLVESTER
Bradford