It looks like it is going to be a long recovery. As of this week, the Coronavirus is raging throughout our country and many seem to be in denial. While people run around sans mask, the virus spreads.
A few weeks ago, it looked as if we were on the upward side of reopening, but now it looks like we may do some backsliding. Depending on whether we can continue our positive MA numbers, and that there is no fall resurgence, we may be able to survive. What worries me are the studies that indicate that fear and negative perception is such in the U.S. that people are beginning to shun other people and places except for their immediate environments.
Plymouth does seem to be in a bubble in that we have lower numbers and fewer deaths, but we must stay guarded and cautious and not begin believing we are bulletproof. I am encouraged by how many people are wearing masks in the historic cultural district. On vacation last week, I strolled Court Street and Water Street and people seemed less anxious. I am hoping it is the good vibe they are getting from Plymouth.
The analysis this week is not good. Unlike my vibe in Plymouth, nationally, people are deciding in larger numbers not to leave home. For tourism, it sets our recovery back even further. Earlier today, I testified in a Senate Listening call about tourism and COVID and talked about the ways the legislature can help tourism survive over the next few years. Representing the RTCs, I asked that matching funds for our Tourism Trust Funds be waived for both 2020 and 2021. That would allow us to continue marketing the Plymouth County destination without asking all of you to pitch in on coop ads. If you do want to market, get in touch because we can offer great discounts over what you would pay advertising alone, however.
Our staff has stayed busy throughout all this doing internal work that will benefit you. We are putting the finishing touches on our new website design that will include many new photos of your establishments and a fresh new look at the town and county of Plymouth. Kudos to Claire MacPherson and Tricia Ellis for their work on this. Paula has been working on advertising strategy with me, John has been working with Georgia on better organization of our linked organizations, and we have all been staring at each other in masks.
Stay up to date and read through our offerings of articles today. There is both good news and bad, but it is what it is. For my part, I am trying to keep a stiff upper lip and march forward.
