I just walked close to two miles, as part of the Belmont pride parade, which I found out about as they were walking past our house. I wasn't planning to go anywhere today; in fact, I was planning not to, for the sake of my hips and left knee.
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cattitude happened to notice the parade going past on Beech Street, and I couldn't see an obvious reason not to join them. He had an obvious reason--no shoes--but I grabbed a mask and set out before remembering I did have a reason, and by then I was a couple of blocks from home and decided to keep going for a bit. I hope I don't regret this later in the day, or the week.
I hadn't expected a Pride parade this year, since the big-city Pride events have all gone virtual because of the pandemic, and Boston, at least, then said they are scaling down and refocusing the online stuff to focus on Black lives matter and anti-racism. This parade was small enough that we mostly maintained social distancing, and I hope they're right about outdoors and sunlight, as well as masks, being protective.
When we were still on Beech Street, someone offered me a flag, so I happily waved a small trans pride flag at passing cars, people sitting or standing on the other side of the street, and so on. The parade got friendly waves and honks from almost everyone we passed
I turned before the parade got to Belmont Center, because walking that far before walking home seemed like more than I could handle.
(My route/walk, just because: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=815131)
Also, I have now met my state representative, who introduced himself as we were walking down Common Street; we chatted a little, both general stuff and about legislation to make it easy to vote by mail.
cattitude happened to notice the parade going past on Beech Street, and I couldn't see an obvious reason not to join them. He had an obvious reason--no shoes--but I grabbed a mask and set out before remembering I did have a reason, and by then I was a couple of blocks from home and decided to keep going for a bit. I hope I don't regret this later in the day, or the week.I hadn't expected a Pride parade this year, since the big-city Pride events have all gone virtual because of the pandemic, and Boston, at least, then said they are scaling down and refocusing the online stuff to focus on Black lives matter and anti-racism. This parade was small enough that we mostly maintained social distancing, and I hope they're right about outdoors and sunlight, as well as masks, being protective.
When we were still on Beech Street, someone offered me a flag, so I happily waved a small trans pride flag at passing cars, people sitting or standing on the other side of the street, and so on. The parade got friendly waves and honks from almost everyone we passed
I turned before the parade got to Belmont Center, because walking that far before walking home seemed like more than I could handle.
(My route/walk, just because: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=815131)
Also, I have now met my state representative, who introduced himself as we were walking down Common Street; we chatted a little, both general stuff and about legislation to make it easy to vote by mail.
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All I'm sure of is that, official or otherwise, the police were clearly aware of it--we got supportive honks from at least two police cars.
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There are restrictions and/or advice on team sports, beaches, parks, zoos, and a lot of other things, but for walking down the street, we are advised to maintain social distance, wash our hands regularly, and stay home when we can. The only requirement I could find for a large group of people walking down the street, waving signs or flags and talking quietly with each other, is to wear a mask/face covering if you won't be able to maintain that six-foot distance. We are advised to stay home as much as possible/convenient -- the exceptions at this point include shopping, permitted outdoor work, going to and from jobs that are allowed to be open, and worship.
The state and town governments would like us to be careful, but most of the limits on gathering size are advice rather than requirements.
I should note that this was the quietest parade I can remember being in or watching; I don't know if I'd have had the sense to leave if people had started chanting or singing. I'd like to think so, but between the coronavirus and the way my knee and hips had been feeling, a more sensible
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