The Steamship Authority is exploring the screening of passengers, SSA board chairman Jim Malkin indicated in a statement to The Times.
“We are looking at all options, including screening, with the local and state medical professionals, and will proactively follow all guidance to insure the safety of the passengers, crew and the Island,” he wrote. “I would urge all passengers to keep social distance on the ferries and busses; my personal preference is to travel on the outside decks.”
Malkin’s personal preference follows a recommendation made by Tufts professor Sam Telford, who pointed out sunlight will eventually kill the coronavirus on outdoor surfaces like seats. Telford also said outdoor areas on ferries offer better sneeze protection.
In a follow-up telephone conversation, Malkin said the “screening” the SSA is exploring with health officials includes evaluating people’s temperatures, not testing them for coronavirus. What to do with folks with elevated temperatures is a problem that has no clear answer yet, he said.
Right… they barely keep their boats running, now they are going to take your temperature?!? Charlton Heston comes to mind with ‘keep your stink in’ paws off me you #### dirty ###’.
two inch. you know, technology has come a long way since you were a child, and they no longer use rectal thermometers to check your temperature.
They have these devices that they point at your ear from about 4 inches away for 2 or 3 seconds, and presto, they have your temperature. What is wrong with that ?
You might think there is going to be some kind of miracle and all the cases of this virus will “go away” , and you of course are entitled to your opinion, but please get out of the way of real health care experts, and let the rest of us try to keep this thing contained.
Friday, I arrived 40 minutes early at Woods Hole for 1:35 p.m. crossing. I was off-Island for four hours. The boat, though, was full when I arrived. The SSA attendant said that he wasn’t sure if I was (sic) going to make it. The boat was being laden with license plates from NY, NJ, CT, and RI, and even MA. Though I was on time for a reservation, I had been bumped. ( “Well, if you’re just opening your rightfully owned summer home for which you pay taxes, go right ahead and travel. Since it’s your private property, you won’t be putting others at risk.” “Well, as long as you’re nice to your neighbors and you have good intentions, your hospital will have all the resources it needs and everything will be fine.”) Good ol’ SSA. Gotta love em. I honestly remember thinking, “Thank G-d you don’t practice medicine!” The SSA doesn’t know how to take and hold a reservation. I doubt in all sincerity and quake at the prospect of anyone from the SSA taking someone’s temperature and not mishandling that information, too.
In case anyone was wondering, my gloves were purple nitrile.
That’s great rush to our island !!!
If we all stay home we won’t notice who’s on the boat. Stay home, people.
It’s too late. The barn is on fire. It is a conflagration.Screening is a band aid on a sucking chest wound. Stay home and don’t leave unless it’s an emergency. Just look at Italy. We are only days away from that reality. Getting on that boat is a fool’s errand.Stay home like your life depends on it.