Ubering Tourist

04/06/2024

Rusty is ready for our next adventure!

29/04/2024

FORGES OF CONNECTICUT

Connecticut's history of iron production dates back to Colonial times. Here is a lengthy list of forges that are hundreds of years old:

LAMBS FORGE started almost 200 years of iron production in Northwestern Connecticut.

RICHARD SEYMOUR'S EAST CANAAN BLOOMERY built in 1739 next to the Blackberry river.

JOSEPH SKINNER'S FORGE started producing iron and Sharon in 1740.

KENT IRON first made in 1744.

SALISBURY FORGE opened in 1748 at the outlet of Twin Lakes.

JOHN GRAY'S FORGE started operating in 1750 on Sharon mountain.

ETHAN ALLEN, SAMUEL FORBES, AND PARTNERS FIRST BLAST FURNACE built in 1762 at the outlet of Lake Wononskopomoc in Lakeville.

My children and I visited forges in Roxbury (left) as well as East Canaan (right) which are visible in these photos.

The forges used charcoal to heat the iron ore at the proper temperature required to smelt the metal ore so that it could be hammered into shapes needed to produce tools, nails, and even anchors for ships. Blast furnaces were much larger than forges producing tons of iron each day.

The first blast furnace was built by Ethan Allen, Samuel Forbes, and partners in Lakeville to cast cannons for General Washington's army during the American Revolution. The Salisbury Forge produced 80% of the Cannons for the colonies.

Blast furnaces were large Stone Stacks that range from 24 to 50 ft in height. Some of the other blast furnaces include:

KENT IRON FURNACE operated from 1825 to 1892 in Kent.

LIME ROCK FURNACE built in 1825 by Holly and Coffing.

MINE HILL FURNACE in Roxbury was in operation from 1865 to 1872.

Mine HILL Preserve
Roxbury, CT 06783
(860) 350-4148

www.roxburylandtrust.org

Open 24 hours every day.

Beckley Iron Furnace State Park
140 Lower Rd, East Canaan, CT 06024
(860) 482-1817

www.beckleyfurnace.org

140 Lower Rd, East Canaan, CT 06024

Open 24 hours every day.

21/02/2023

USS NAUTILUS MEMORIAL AND SUBMARINE MUSEUM

How often do you find a 319 ft nuclear submarine just sitting at the side of the road? Well, if you drive through Groton, Connecticut and head down to the Thames River you may just run into such a spectacle and may even have the opportunity to climb aboard and tour the inside of the vessel.

The Nautilus was the world's first nuclear powered submarine built in 1954. It was capable of speeds of more than 20 knots and could keep such pace indefinitely. The submarine was decommissioned in 1980 and in 1985 went on public display.

The USS Nautilus and Submarine Force Museum is the only submarine museum operated by the United States Navy. There is no cost to enter the museum, but they do accept donations. The museum is open every day of the week 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except Tuesdays.

Address:
1 Crystal Road
Groton, Connecticut 06340

Telephone: (860) 694-3174

Website: ussnautilus.org

Parking is also free and, while the museum is part of the naval submarine base New London, it has its own entrance separate from the naval base.

26/01/2023

Who is following the Ubering Tourist?

03/01/2023

Tap into expert sightseeing management provided by
Special Services by
Francesco Mastracchio.
Check out the page:

14/11/2022

Francesco Mastracchio shared a post on Instagram. Follow their account to see 27 posts.

29/09/2022

MINUTE MAN MONUMENT

Located at the intersection of Compo Road South and Compo Beach Road in Westport, Connecticut is a statue depicting an American Minute Man. The Minute Men were those brave civilians who willingly took up arms at a moment's notice to enter into the service of defending the colonies. This intersection upon which the statue rises is said to be the precise location of the most brutal fight between British Red coats and American Continental Militias. It is one of four such representations crafted by assorted sculptors. The other three are located in Massachusetts.

This statue which was completed and dedicated in 1910 is the work of Westport artist Daniel L. Webster. The monument was cast by Tiffany and Company at the Roman Bronze Works Foundry in Brooklyn, New York.

Webster lived a very short life from 1880 to 1912. Born the son of a farmer, he was native to Iowa and made the move to New York City at the turn of the century in 1900 to pursue artistic studies.

The plaque at the monument reads:
"To commemorate the heroism of the patriots who defended their country when the British invaded this state April 25th, 1777. General David Wooster, Colonel Abraham Gould and more than one hundred Continentals fell in the engagements comencing at Danbury and closing on Compo Hill. Erected by Connecticut Society Sons of American Revolution."

This representation is essentially a composite portrait of the local people descended from Colonial patriots. The Westport Historical Society and the Westport Young Women's League placed another descriptive plaque across the street from the monument.

Address:
281 Compo Road South
Westport, Connecticut

23/07/2022

MEW HAVEN CAT CAFE

Mew Haven Cat Cafe is Connecticut's first cat cafe. How else can you grip a caramel latte surrounded by 20 or more roaming, sleeping, purring, scampering felines? The Cat Cafe Fosters cats from a local shelter and allows humans to find their perfect match and ultimately adopt a furry friend if they choose to.

Tickets are sold for 50-minute visits.

$15 for adults
$10 for children (12 and under)

As weekends are quite busy, it is best to book in advance on their website. They even list various membership subscriptions. Other deals include
3-hour work/study sessions or yoga with cats, trivia with cats, crocheting with cats. Sponsorship opportunities also available.

MEW HAVEN CAT CAFE
904 Whalley Avenue
New Haven, Connecticut 06515

Telephone: (475) 441-7877

e-Mail: [email protected]

Website: MewHavenCatCafe.com

Hours: Mon-Tues 10am-7pm
Closed Wednesdays
Thu-Sun 10am-7pm

23/03/2022

THE BASILICA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The Catholic community of Waterbury, Connecticut had its humble beginning as a mission church later to become the home of the Archdiocese of Hartford's minor basilica. Construction began in 1924 at a cost of $1.25 million. The architecture is Italian Renaissance Revival and finally opened four years later in 1928. The limestone building measures 170 feet long by 80 feet wide with an occupancy capacity of 1,500. It was modeled after the Basilica of Saint Maria Major in Rome. It was entered into the National Register of Historic Places on August 3, 1983.

This church is a must see among the various beautiful churches of Waterbury, in fact, it is the city's crown jewel.

Address:
74 West Main Street
Waterbury, Connecticut 06702

Telephone:
(203) 574-0017

e-Mail:
[email protected]

Website:
https://www.waterburybasilica.org/

Parking:
Located behind basilica via Prospect Street.

22/03/2022

HOW GOOD A DRIVER ARE YOU?
Take this short quiz.

Being a good driver goes far beyond the self-assurance of being able to handle an automobile with confidence. Being a good driver has more to do with being a courteous and safe driver. Take this self test. It is a basic assessment that will allow you to look at areas in your driving habbits where there may be room for improvement. The higher the score the better a driver you are likely to be.

Score 3 points for each question answered in the affirmative.

1. If a lane is designated only for turns or straight ahead do I respect the lane and obey the markings on the roadway and/or signs?

2. Do I avoid making rolling stops?

3. Do I yield the right-of-way when warranted by signage or traffic rules?

4. True or false, I never double Park.

5. True or false I never drift into adjoining Lane too close for comfort of nearby drivers.

6. True or false I refrain from calls, texting or non-navigational apps on my cell phone so as not to be a distracted driver.

7. Do I use my turn signals BEFORE changing lanes?

8. True or false, I never tailgate.

9. Do I always use turn signals at appropriate distances from place that I would like to turn.

10. True or false, I always leave a safe amount of space before entering a lane in front of another car to avoid cutting them off.

11. True or false, I avoid stopping too abruptly when possible.

12. True or false, I never use high beams when behind other cars or when another car comes toward me in the opposite direction.

13. True or false, I only use Hazard flashers on the right lane or on the shoulder when on the highway never in the driving or passing lanes.

14. Do I always keep my rate of speed relative to other drivers (keeping in mind that I do not drive more than 10 miles per hour higher than the posted speed limit)?

15. Am I a mature driver that avoids weaving through traffic as if I am playing the video game "Pole Position"?

16. Do I use cruise control on highways in order to maintain a constant rate of speed?

17. True or false, I do not speed up if I notice the car on my left is trying to pass me.

18. Do I make sure to replace marking light bulbs and headlamps when they are burned out?

19. When passing another vehicle in my lane, do I make sure to adjust my speed to that of the other drivers (either faster or at least the same) BEFORE slipping into the next lane in front of other cars?

20. Do I avoid passing from the right if the left lane has room for me?

21. Do I avoid taking up residence in the left lane, keeping in mind that cars traveling in that lane should be driving faster than those in the drive lane and have the intention of passing?

22. When parked on the right side of a road, do I look over my left shoulder BEFORE opening my car door into the traffic lane to avoid creating a hazard for myself and passing traffic?

23. Do I remember to look carefully when pulling out of a parking space snd signal my intention if it is a parellel parking spot?

24. Do I refrain from changing lanes in the last10-20 feet at a red light?

25. Do I respect solid white line lane markings by staying in my lane unless the lane is blocked by an immobile vehicle?

26. Do I leave a couple of car lengths between my vehicle and a tractor trailer that I am pulling in front of during a lane change?

27. Do I make sure that I have waited for a gap in traffic and accelerated to highway speed BEFORE leaving the entrance ramp to merge onto the highway?

28. Do I prepare myself for exiting by getting into the proper lane to avoid cutting in front of the other drivers who have dilligently lined up to exit?

29. Do I remember that stopping in rain or snow is not as easy and regulate my speed according to weather conditions?

30. Do I respect markings and signage on lanes designated for turning or going straight?

31. Do I give other drivers a chance to get in front of my car if they are signaling their intentions properly?

32. Do I avoid acts of road rage?

33. Do I turn on my headlights when there is fog or precipitation?

BONUS POINT: Do I wear my seat belt?

01/01/2022

FALLS BRIDGE
(or Bridge at Great Falls)

Located within Lover's Leap State Park in New Milford, Connecticut is a testament to industrial necessity. A modern 19th century replacement of one of the charming covered bridges that are scattered throughout New England (this one known as Boardman's Crossing) that materialized in 1895.

This present bridge is one of over 1,000 lenticular bridges built before the turn of the 19th century by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company of East Berlin, Connecticut named after their unique structure that combines upper parabolic chord and somtimes containing an inferior companion that is also curved giving the shape of a lens, also known as a "fish belly truss", "parabolic truss" or "elliptical truss". This bridge measuring 19 feet wide by 173 feet long is suspended at an elevation of 100 feet above the gorge and rapids. It is one of only four remaining in Connecticut. Its ornamental lattice with floral design and the arched shape of its truss originated in 19th century Europe.

The bridge was paid for by the town of New Milford at a cost of $7,938.00 that included seed money of $1,000.00 from the Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company in order to secure more profitable operation by the company's president, Granville M. Breinig.

The bridge served a growing community of farmers, quarries, factories and merchants until its closure to vehicular traffic in 1977. It was entered on the National Register of Historic Places on the 13th of May during the bicentennial year of 1976. It was restored during the years of 2004 to 2006 after almost three decades of petitioning town and federal funds at a cost of $1.9 million. The ribbon cutting and park dedication took place the following year on the 16th of June.

Throughout the bridge the theme that has been taken on is Love probably due to the legend of the Native American girl Lillinonah who went to her death over the rapids in her canoe and also claimed the life of her white lover who leapt over the cliff to save her. Thus the names Lovers Leap State Park and Lake Lillinonah. This designation dedicating Love as the theme was materialized in the forms of the graffiti and littering of padlocks throughout the length of the bridge (known as "Love Locks") placed there by couples often bearing names or initials to commemorate their iron-clad, everlasting bond.

Hours:

The park is open from 8 am to sunset.

Pets:

Pets on a maximum seven foot leash are permitted.

Address:

Lovers Leap State Park
c/o Squantz Pond State Park
178 Shortwoods Road
New Fairfield, CT 06812

e-Mail:

[email protected]

Telephone:

(203) 312-5023

29/12/2021

Prepping the car for a new year full of exploration. Follow and Like Ubering Tourist to visit new places and see new things throughout the state of Connecticut. Wishing you and your family a happy and Healthy New Year!

06/09/2021

RIGHT OF WAY

This evening I decided to sit down and write a few lines relating to a frightening experience that I had today. So, you ask, what was it that left me all shook up? I'll tell you. I was driving my car south on Stony Hill Road to the entrance ramp at exit 8 of I-84 to go westbound in Danbury, Connecticut. I was driving the third car in a string of cars when a black convertable Mercedes Benz sitting on the cross-hatched triangle on the fork in the road on my left had apparently been in the wrong lane to access the entrance ramp drove at full speed along the string of cars that I was in nearly pushing me off of the road as the pavement narrowed. I, being a rather proficient defensive driver, prevented the collision by slowing down and moving to the unpaved shoulder. This incident could have been avoided had the driver of the other car have either:

1. Known the traffic rules.
2. Respected said traffic rules.
3. Had been less self-centered.
4. Had driven more attentively.

Again, I feel that the four aforementioned possibilities are the culprits for most road accidents. Whether this particular person was well-versed in traffic law or blatently and knowingly ignoring the law due to self-centeredness or perhaps carelessness due to driver distraction, he should not be behind the wheel of a car and other drivers should not have to put up with such a safety disconnect.

The man driving the Mercedes subsequently made an obscene gesture toward me when I honked my car horn. So, I remind you all to be cognizant of your surroundings while driving and to use much caution. Defensive drivers prevent the mishaps of careless and wreckless drivers. Further, I plan on contacting the responsible government agency to suggest the installation of delineators on the lane leading to the entrance ramp of the highway to prevent future occurrences.

28/05/2021

Look at everything Uber can do for you!

22/03/2021

EMILY WINTHROP MILES AUDOBON SANCTUARY

This nature preserve located in Sharon, Connecticut is a safe haven for many species of birds. With 11 miles of hiking trails and some of the most breathtaking scenery it is definitely worth a visit. Open daily from 8am to 5pm it is easily accessible from Cornwall Bridge Road.

The Audobon Sharon website lists the history of this preserve as follows:

"Emily Winthrop Miles was a poet, writer, and artist. Much of the inspiration for her work came from nature. In 1962, the year after the Sharon Audubon Center was formed, Emily donated her property to the National Audubon Society, creating the Emily Winthrop Miles Wildlife Audubon Sanctuary."

The sanctuary, which currently encompasses 1,500 acres complete with a residential facility within the wildlife sanctuary that is used by interns and scientists who are conducting scientific work

Parking and access is available at 99 West Cornwall Road. During my recent visit, the building and displays were not open but as stated above, the natural beauty of the property is the main draw.

The following are rules that visitors must follow:

Leave bikes and pets at home. No dogs or any other pets are permitted on the trails or property.

Hunting and fishing are not allowed (the wildlife do the hunting and fishing here)

Do not enter ponds or streams (except during guided programs)

Stay on the trails—the forest is for the wildlife!

Take only pictures, leave only footprints (not litter)

No alcohol or smoking on the property

Remember, the houses on the property are private residences—please respect their privacy

AUDOBON SHARON
325 Cornwall Bridge Road
Sharon, CT 06069

Telephone: (860) 364-0520

https://sharon.audubon.org/

19/03/2021

Make a donation or purchase a custom engraved brick to help support the development and growth of Holy Land USA in Waterbury, Connecticut.

18/03/2021

My latest design just in time for vacations and the good times that lie ahead. Order your pair below and your sandals will be crafted by Italian artisans and shipped free to you in the USA or Europe.

Fly Girl is a unique limited edition custom shoe concept designed by Francesco Mastracchio. Stripe sandal, completely custom made in Italy, featuring pristine italian leather.

10/02/2021

I have designed the perfect shoes for leisurely exploration. Inspired by sport fans and boys adventures, these retro running trainers sport great style and a comfortable sole. Great for walking and casual wear, these trainers feature genuine Italian leather, natural cotton laces and metal reinforced eyelets.

My custom shoes are handmade by master Italian craftsman from pristine Italian leather. Each designer pair is a one-of-a-kind, combining handcrafting tradition, quality and modern style for a product that’s perfectly Italian.

Click below to order:

Franco Nero is a unique limited edition custom shoe concept designed by Francesco Mastracchio. Vintage running trainer, completely custom made in Italy, featuring pristine italian leather.

24/12/2020

Happy holidays to all of my readers from the Ubering Tourist. 🎄 🎅

23/12/2020

HISTORIC BARNS OF CONNECTICUT 2021 CALENDAR TO SUPPORT PRESERVATION CONNECTICUT

Picturing History: Historic Barns of Connecticut 2021 Wall Calendar (full dimensions: 17″ x 11″, folded 8.5″ x 11″) featuring photos of the top photos chosen by our jury and most voted for during our contest.

$25 (includes shipping)

Click on link below to order:

https://preservationct.org/barns-2021-calendar?fbclid=IwAR3ozKluKkkBYOnOmUjcQnrli7N8jsgsIpkpE95oQLgq6wfQEpSQ0BnUYF4

13/12/2020

CHANNEL 3 KIDS CAMP HOLIDAY LIGHT FANTASIA

In this season of Christmas plagued by COVID-19, this beloved 10 year old Connecticut tradition is the perfect answer to contact-free, socially distanced holiday activity for the entire family. It is a 2.2 mile drive through holiday lighting display comprised of over one million lights at the Goodwin Park Golf Course in Hartford.

With a slew of corporate sponsors all banded together to benefit the 110 year-old non-profit Channel 3 Kids Camp that serves over 3,000 children each year. The lighting display makes it possible for all children regardless of financial, physical or developmental impediments to attend camp and enjoy the great outdoors in Andover and Coventry in Connecticut.

Tickets are $15/car, $25/limo,
$50/mini-bus and $100/full-size bus
available for purchase online at:

holidaylightfantasia.org

The 2020 season runs Thursdays through Sundays from Thanksgiving to January 3rd of the new year from 5pm to 10pm.

Telephone: (860) 742-2267

Goodwin Park
1130 Maple Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06114

11/11/2020

MOUNT TOM STATE PARK

Mount Tom State Park in Connecticut straddling the towns of Washington, Litchfield and Morris with its 231 acres of natural recreation areas offering a sand beach on Mount Tom Pond for swimming, canoeing, boating and fishing as well as trails for hiking and picnic areas.

The parkland was donated in 1911 following the death of Charles H. Senff, Director of the American Sugar Refining Company. In the transfer of the property one stipulation included that a permanent observation tower be maintained atop Mount Tom. The original tower was crafted of wood in 1888. About a decade after the state's taking ownership of the park a 34 foot stone tower was planted upon the site affording visitors the majestic panorama stretching from the Long Island Sound, the New York Catskills and Mount Everett in Massachusetts.

The park is open year-round and is accessible via Rout 202 in Litchfield. The address is:

Mount Tom State Park
Mount Tom Road
Washington Depot, Connecticut 06794

Telephone: (860) 424-3200

[email protected]

01/11/2020

COVID-19 SAFETY REMINDER

Last night I took to the road late at night to bring people to and from their Halloween parties and I noticed that some passengers were either letting their guard down or were not aware of the way Uber is doing business during the pandemic.

First of all, everyone in the vehicle must wear masks. Next, no passengers are permitted to sit in the front seat. And, therefore, the capacity of the vehicle is reduced by one. In the case of my car, this means that I can transport a maximum of three passengers. No exceptions. The excess people must order a second Uber.

If we all stick to these guidelines we can reduce the risk to ourselves as we anticipate the second wave and prevent the possibility of contributing to super spreader events that can push infection rates upwards.

20/10/2020

Last Week Tonight - The John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant is Here! (Part 1)

THE JOHN OLIVER MEMORIAL SEWER PLANT

When driving passengers late at night on Newtown Road in Danbury, Connecticut, I often come to the point where I must apologize for the stench and assure them that I was not the origin. Now I have some trivia to share with my Uber passengers. The link to part 1 is below while the link to part 2 will be in the comments or you can allow the YouTube video to play through.

From the October 18, 2020 episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver". You can watch part 2 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjVJhnabEiY I do not ow...

20/10/2020

WEIR FARM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

The summer home of beloved American Impressionist artist Alden Weir from 1882 to 1919. Straddling two Connecticut towns, Wilton and Ridgefield, the property surrounds the eyes with natural beauty which served as the inspiration of some of his most enchanted works.

This 60 acre National Park includes the family home, father and daughter studios, peaceful gardens, farm buildings and a lovely pond surrounded by hiking trails.

The National Park Service has done a wonderful job in keeping the property intact and making the grounds available for leisurely strolls, art education, as well as historical enrichment. The national historic site was featured on the reverse side of the 2020 Connecticut commemorative quarter.

Grounds are open daily, year round from sunrise to sunset. May 1st through October 31st tours are given of house and studios 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Visitor Center and Museum Shop are open 10am-4pm.
Call ahead as tours may not be available during the Covid-19 pandemic.

WEIR FARM NATIONAL
HISTORIC SITE

735 Nod Hill Road
Wilton, Connecticut 06897

Telephone: (203) 834-1896

www.nps.gov/wefa

07/08/2020

01/07/2020

SILVERMAN'S FARM

Here is a great kids destination ideal to fill the gap on a lazy summer day. The farm is located in the quaint Connecticut town of Easton off its main road Route 59 upon which you will find the animal farm on one side of the carriageway and the farm stand on the other side. The store in the farmstand carries everything from fresh produce to baked goods to souvenirs.

The animal farm hosts a nice assortment of creatures from farms on several continents. There are emu, sheep, goats, pigs, bisons, rabbits and even a Sicilian donkey. The admission is just $5 a head and under three are free. And what would an animal farm be without bags of feed? Bags are $5 each and if you bring your own bucket it is a buck off...no pun intended of course. I got one for each kid and they had a blast feeding all of the animals. The emu were the most fun picking at their palms with their beaks.

Musical performances and seasonal events like apple picking and train rides are posted on their website. Blueberry, raspberry and peach picking with summer their season of harvest act as a prelude leading up to the autumnal apple picking season.

SILVERMAN'S FARM
451 Sport Hill Road
Easton, Connecticut 06612

Telephone: (203) 261-3306
Website: www.silvermansfarm.com

Hours: open 7 days/week 9am-5pm
(holiday hours may differ)

21/06/2020

BING SEARCH YIELDS UBER QUOTES

While preplanning a trip to take with my kids, I discovered that when I made my search through Bing, the text box included Uber info with price and nearest driver. This could be useful when planning trips away from home.

When you click on it you are taken to the Uber riders' app login screen. Just another tip to tuck in your experienced traveller's belt brought to you from the Ubering Tourist.

16/05/2020

GETTING READY TO HIT THE ROAD

As Connecticut is gearing to reopen carefully this coming week I educated myself of changes and new policies being put forth by Uber. I will be making some modifications to the interior of my car (and, no...sorry...I did not buy a Bently). Here are some of the new changes to Uber policy and their cellphone app:

1. Both passengers and yours truly are now required to wear face coverings for the entire duration of the trip. If a passenger or driver is not in compliance, the ride may be cancelled by either party.

2. No passengers in the front seat. Uber X which previously allowed for 4 passengers now only permits 3.

3. The app will aprise customers of the new requirements and give reporting options if there is a lack of compliance.

4. Uber is continuing to source masks and sanitation materials, and will prioritize distribution to drivers and delivery people in the hardest hit areas. So far, the company has allocated $50 million to purchase supplies like masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant sprays and wipes. As of this week, Uber has secured more than 23 million masks for drivers and delivery people around the world. Many of these items were shipped directly to driver’s homes.

5. My personal Uber will have a transparent divider installed and I will continue, as I have been since I began to drive, to provide hand sanitizer for my passengers.

6. Uber is providing Covid-19 education to its drivers and is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the CDC to create a customized series of safety tips for rideshare and delivery services to provide health & safety guidance designed for drivers.

23/04/2020

COVID-19 CHECK IN

Hello from the Ubering Tourist. As you probably have imagined there is no Ubering nor touring going on in my car right now. Now is just not the time. Prudence and advice from the health professionals dictate that we still have quite a way to go before opening everything back up. Politicians as President Trump and Governor Cuomo of New York are also maintaining that it is just too early. Patience is indeed a virtue when you consider its benefits in the long run. People who are too precipitous put the rest of society at risk. We must do our due diligence in the grand scheme of things as part of our social responsibility. We should not be visiting other people as if nothing occurred or shopping at stores just to browse. Outside exposure away from home should be limited so as to cut down the chance of cross-infection. Hot spots usually develop as a result of people who do not maintain social distancing. The good news is that there is a lower rate of infection and that the cumulative percentage of fatal outcome from the disease is beginning to drop but we are still a long way off. We don't want to have a relapse that could set us back again. Following what the experts have been forcasting in the media we can expect social distancing and facemasks to continue to be used long after our country's economy reopens. So...the bottom line is for all of us to continue to be vigilant. Be safe!