Testing and State Reopening

Drive-Up Coronavirus Testing, Nashua, NH

Testing, testing — and the results are negative for both of us, thankfully.

This is where we went last Friday after reading a recent news report that there were more COVID-19 testing supplies available in NH than people asking for the test. We showed no symptoms and didn't suspect any infection. But, since testing was available, we participated as we fall in the "certain age" group.

State health officials hope that more widespread testing will give a better picture of the extent of the outbreak here.

The Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services provided drive-in testing by calling a COVID-19 Hotline and by appointment only. After calling last Friday morning , we walked 10 minutes to the outdoor testing site at a nearby church parking lot. We were tested by late afternoon (think of a large Q-Tip being inserted up your nostril for the test), and received a call yesterday with the results. 

Only the humans in this car were tested

This week, state health officials announced promising trends statewide with an overall plateau and a lower percentage of hospitalizations. More than 34,000 people have been tested; the state has averaged 1,200 tests daily over the past week. There were 89 new positive cases of COVID-19, raising the state’s total to 3,160 with 1,231 recovered to date. There were no additional deaths; NH’s total is 133 deaths.

The percentage of those hospitalized has dropped; 318 people were hospitalized at some point, about 10% of the 3,160 positive tests. A broader range of people are being tested now, previously only those showing serious illness and corona virus symptoms were tested.

NH Governor Chris Sununu issued a stay-at-home order, March 26, for NH residents, in effect until May 4. The governor asked everyone to stay home unless absolutely necessary, especially those over age 65 or with chronic health conditions. However, people could still go outside for exercise, to work, and to buy essential supplies.

The stay-at-home order differs from a shelter-in-place order. Transportation services were not closed, the state border wasn't closed, people weren't prevented from leaving home, residents of other states weren't prohibited from entering.

This week, more closure restrictions were lifted as part of plan to reopen the economy while encouraging social distancing, a process called, Stay-at-Home 2.0.

State parks, campgrounds and manufacturing facilities have remained open, but with new guidelines. The state parks policy has reopening guidelines for inland state beaches, with limited occupancy and other restrictions. Seacoast beaches remain closed; NH is working with neighboring states on when/how to relax that restriction. It would be nice to take a drive to the ocean, but No Parking restrictions are in place along the seacoast routes.

NH businesses reopening this week included malls and outlets in Nashua, Salem, and Manchester. The Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua and the Mall at Rockingham Park, border MA, a state hard hit by COVID19. NH state officials are concerned about out-of-state visitors who come to shop here as NH has tax-free shopping. 

Retail store employees must wear face masks, follow sanitation guidelines, stores must enforce social distancing of six feet. Mall officials said employees temperatures will be taken at the start of their shift. Stores will operate with modified hours to allow for deep cleaning areas. Retail locations will only be able to operate at 50% of max. occupancy. Customers are encouraged to wear face coverings, order ahead or do curbside pick up. It's easier to stay home and shop online as no face covering or social distancing are required.

Next Monday, May 18, NH restaurants can reopen with outdoor food services, in addition to take-out and delivery. Servers must wear face coverings. Customers exempted as dining would not be possible when masked.

Only outdoor dining will be allowed; no indoor dining is permitted. Tables will be limited to no more than six people and set up six feet apart. Also, reservations will be required.

A walk downtown this week showed 3 local eateries (Martha's Exchange, MT's and Fratellos) are set up for outdoor dining in advance of nest week's lifted restrictions.

Barbershops and hair salons could reopen as of this Monday, and only see customers by appointment and must limit the number of chairs in use. Staff and customers must wear face coverings and only hair cuts and colorings are allowed. Grenville was lucky, able to make an appointment and get a haircut at his favorite barbershop. But, my hair salon has opted to remain closed until June 1 and I'll have longer (and by then grayer) hair. Thank goodness for Miss Clairol.

Golf courses will only be allowed to open for NH and/or current club members. Clubhouse use is prohibited; only personal equipment can be used. There's also restrictions on food and drinks. Luckily, neither of us participate in this sport; but our neighbor was glad for the lifted restriction.

As of Monday, May 4, hospitals could resume elective procedures previously on hold, such as time sensitive MRIs and CT scans, knee and hip replacements, biopsies and other invasive testing. Dentist offices were allowed to reopen and must follow the new restrictions. Our appointments were cancelled in April. We're waiting for reschedules.

Internet source: Northfield, NH Drive-In (2015) 

Did you ever go to to a drive-in movie theater? As a child, who attended the (long gone) Somerville, NJ Drive-In with my family, there was no better form of entertainment and in car dining on a warm summer evening.

Recently, I've read that people may be return to drive-in movies when they can reopen. Of course, there will be restrictions on food and beverages, and guidelines to prevent crowding, especially at restrooms. 

An online check showed that NH still has some drive-in theaters statewide:  Weirs Drive-In Theater, Weirs Beach; Milford Twin Drive-In, Milford; Northfield Drive-In, Hinsdale and Northern Lights Drive-In, Lancaster. Like indoor movies, it's now a costly outing as prices listed were from $30/car of 6 to $8/adult, but you can bring your own food and drink. We've never been to one here, but are thinking about doing it again as a way to get out in and social distance, maybe with a couple of neighbors too.

That's HOW virus-related things are looking in here in Nashua, NH and within the state.
How are they going where you live and are you coping OK?