To visit New York State, most Americans are required to fill out an absurdly invasive, two-sided form. On the form the visitor swears that he will self-quarantine for two weeks. Having flown in to Buffalo last week from one of the naughty states–Missouri–I had no choice. Our flight had about 20 people on board, but two officials adults were waiting at 9:00 p.m. on a Sunday night to collect our forms when we disembarked. No one got beyond them without showing his or her letters of transit.
Among the more pointless questions asked was in which seat was I sitting. I cannot imagine who reads these forms or what health officials do with the information, but in a state that is both broke and broken, there has to be a better way to spend taxpayer money. I shared my sentiments about this data collection on the form. “Under protest,” I wrote, “self-destructive, wasteful, oppressive.” Perhaps because of my obvious lack on enthusiasm for fascism, no one has contacted me since.
According to Gov. Cuomo’s executive order–the state is run now by executive order–even those who drive into New York State from one of the thirty or so naughty states must fill out a form. This the visitor can do on line before leaving. I talked to a person who did just that. The State contacts him every day to check on his progress. He was given a choice of call or text. He chose text. On the right is what he is asked every day of his stay.
At the beginning, he was asked if he needed any help with food or medicine. I asked whether the State delivered pizza. My friend chose not to inquire. He was afraid they might.