With state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan reporting an upward trend of COVID-19 cases in most regions of New Hampshire, he and Governor Chris Sununu say precautionary measures such as mask-wearing and physical distancing should be decided at the local level.
Children will soon be returning to school, and the governor wants to leave decisions with the communities, but he pointed out that last year’s experiments with remote learning created challenges. “It just wasn’t the best thing. The best thing is to get the kids back in the classroom,” he said. “It might not work as well with masks, but the kids will just have to adjust.”
Still, he said, “If you are thinking this is about the mask or no mask, you are missing the boat. Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine. Masks are not the solution. Vaccines are.”
Sununu said the lessons from Florida, Louisiana, and Texas reveal that vaccines prevent illness and death, and he wants to see the 30 percent of eligible New Hampshire residents who have not gotten their shots heed the message.
Dr. Chan called it a balancing act to determine which measures of protection are appropriate.
Two Drowning Incidents In Laconia
Rescue crews from Gilford and Belmont responded to a report of a drowning just before 4:50 p.m. on Thursday and found that a man had been pulled from the water in Ahern State Park and was unresponsive on the beach. Thursday evening he remained in critical condition at Concord Hospital-Laconia.
Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid received another report of a drowning just after 4:50 p.m. In that case, a swimmer had gone under the water in Paugus Bay and did not resurface. The man was described as being in his 40s.
New Hampshire Fish & Game joined the search near the Margate Resort around 6:30 p.m., but the search was called off for the night, with plans to resume the search on Friday morning.
Newfound Lake Eco Tour
The Newfound Lake Region Association holds EcoTours that provide education about the lake and its wildlife. The tour provides passengers with a history of land uses in the watershed, insight into the local animal species, and water quality monitoring demonstrations.
In short, it has something for everyone: a beautiful boat ride with a grand tour of the lake; a chance to enjoy seeing amphibians, birds, and mammals in their natural habitat; interesting historical facts and trivia; and an important science and ecology lesson.
The Grey Rocks Conservation Area, where the pontoon boat tour originates and ends, offers 1.5 miles of hard-packed walking trails suitable for both adults and children.
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