b'VAST NEWSTRAIL TIPS: SNOWMOBILING THROUGH A PANDEMIC STORMBy Mike MutascioFive decades have passed, and Vermont snowmobiling has sure seen its share of challenges that disrupted our sport. Flash floods swept bridges away and destroyed trails. Remember that crippling 1998 ice storm that toppled metal towers like they were stomped on by Godzilla?Last winter introduced us to a disaster that was unprecedented: Weve never seen anything like this before. Everything else was intact, but the well-being of people that keep our favorite activity running was not. The COVID-19 pandemic was unleashed and threatened the health of everyone in Vermont and beyond.I remember being nervous when news of(Mike Mutascio photo)a pandemic surfaced from overseas. If it arrived here, how would we respond to a danger we could not see? What impactsMore recently, pandemic guidance wasthe pandemic with a balance of respect, would it have on the countless volunteers,provided to businesses, agencies, andcamaraderie and best-outcome strategies.supporters, and businesses that embraceinstitutions for H1N1. Vermont health andWe are a different breed than most. our sport? Could a highly contagious virusemergency services conducted a two-weekDespite fierce cold, we push stuck cars at result in a snowmobiling shutdown?long pandemic exercise in July 2007. Theroad crossings and diagnose weird engine State government and its agenciesPandemic Influenza Plan for Norwichsounds for total strangers. We jump in to continuously prepare and monitor(2008) stressed, A uniform message ishelp change hydraulic hoses on groomer potential outbreaks 24-hours a day. On thevital to preventing panic and confusion.drags and warm up gas pump credit card federal level, Department of HomelandNearby, New Hampshires Influenzareaders. The ultimate challenge is to Secretary Michael Chertoff had said, asPandemic Public Health Preparednessdig out a stuck snowmobile faster than early as 2005, that a pandemic outbreak& Response Plan (2007) identified theRalphies dad can change the flat tire in would substantially disrupt our economicpossibility of cancellation of events, likeChristmas Story. But this season, we must and social stability. Plans, guides, budgetssporting events.do everything differently, safely, and free and a National Response Framework haveVAST leaders have been working hardfrom mistakes that can get ourselves or just been approved.Elected officials havewith clubs, committees, and officialsothers sick.pre-scripted responsibilities and authoritiesto convey that snowmobiling is a self-written into law. There is oversight thatisolating sport. Participants need to beBest place to start is to tweak your pre-conducts audits and prepares reports. steadfast and committed to a best-practicesride plan. Yes, you can still prepare your Disease outbreaks have occurred longapproach for all activities on and off thesnowmobiles like a NASA crew readies before any of us were born. In 1918, thetrail. But as I type, media to our north isfor launch. Fire up the engine, de-ice the University of Vermont gymnasium wasreporting the Medical Officer for Northsuspension, top off the gas, while secretly used as clinic during the deadly SpanishBay & Parry Sound Ontario announcingpeering to see if the neighbors are jealous. Flu. Quarantines were in place andthe closure of OFSC trails. This action wasNow take it to the next level. Add several businesses were closed. Communicationin response to complaints pertaining tofacemasks to your accessories and protect failed when operators became sick. Rulestravel concerns and observed behaviors ofthem from the weather in a zip lock bag. to stop the spread of the disease weresnowmobiling groups. Writing your name on the bag is a good posted in many Vermont households.idea, too. A few simple steps for COVID Directives included avoiding crowds,What we do and the perception of thosesafety will take less time than trying to washing hands, using adequate ventilation,actions is critical. Landowners, supporters,find that missing black charging cable you and covering the mouth as others wouldcommunity, and government leaderskeep losing after every ride.not want the germs you could throw theirtrust us. VAST has over five decades ofHand sanitizer is a useful way to disinfect way. experience dealing with disasters. Weyour hands when washing is not available. can crank out another great season amidHowever, sanitizers can also be a little 2 | Snowmobile VERMONT'