LUNATIC TOUR RELIEF

            Saturday we finally had our first on-farm Lunatic Tour of the year; we canceled the two in April and I was supposed to be in Europe most of May, so this was the third scheduled one and ended up being the first actual one of the season.

             We made it very clear that since this was a hay ride we would not be social distancing.  We also made it clear that if anyone felt uncomfortable with this policy, they could either not come (we're happy to refund their ticket price) or walk rather than ride.  We don't go fast so a normal person in normal health can certainly keep up with the hay wagons.  It's about a 2 mile walk over 2 hours.

             We did not require mask wearing.  One couple called and asked if we would require masks; when told no, they decided not to come.  Everyone else was quite supportive.  To say that I was on pins and needles as the hour approached would be an understatement.  I had no idea how a liberty-minded protocol would play out.

             The tour had been sold out for a couple of weeks (100 adults and whatever children go with them--in this case, about 30).  Because of the governor's order requiring masks in businesses, we wanted to address our non-enforcement but in a respectful way to folks who do wear masks.  We opened th doors of the sales building; technically that makes it an outdoor venue and exempt from the order.

             After much discussion, we posted a large sign at the farm store and gathering point:  

             MASKS

             YOUR BODY

            YOUR HEALTH

            YOUR CHOICE           

            Amazingly, people gathered on the wagons without a hitch and literally, the subject of masks and even the whole coronavirus situation never even entered into the tour or discussions.  Nobody asked a question, made a point.  I mean, nothing.  Crickets.  It was magnificent.

             About 5 people wore masks and I did not see nor hear any judgments or disparaging comments from anyone.  Many people took pictures of our sign and blasted it out on social media.  Folks hung around for nearly 2 hours after the tour was over.  And some arrived 4 hours early.

             I felt like everyone enjoyed doing something that seemed human-friendly for the first time in 3 months; you could feel the tension release as we talked and laughed and toured the farm together. 

             What's wrong with letting people take control of their own bodies and their own health?  In the last week we've had a couple of RNs here sharing that they are either fearful of losing their jobs or actively looking for other jobs because if and when a vaccine becomes available, they will not take it and their hospitals will fire them.  What an awful position to force on someone.

             For an afternoon on Saturday, here at Polyface, a group of people did not judge, did not fear, and did not cower.  The sheer energy from happiness, hopefulness, and even hugs can overcome a lot.   Perhaps we should try that for a change.  As the pollen from the ripening orchard grass wafted across the fields and red-winged blackbirds chirped from their cat-tail perches along the pond edge, the world's unrest seemed far away.  Everyone felt it, gratefully.

             Have you ever been on a Polyface Lunatic Tour?