Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Virus Resistant: World's Longest Yard Sale Still Lines US Roads

Associated Press

   GADSDEN, ALABAMA - For decades, thousands of vendors have fanned out
   along roadsides from Alabama to Michigan each summer to haggle over the
   prices of old Coca-Cola bottles, clothes, toys, knives and more at The
   World's Longest Yard Sale.

   And though the coronavirus pandemic has canceled events around the
   globe, the six-state yard sale is happening this weekend for the 34th
   straight year.

   Beginning Thursday and ending Sunday, thousands of people will mingle,
   chat and bargain across a 1,110 kilometer stretch of Middle America.
   Organizers say they might not get the usual crowd, estimated at 200,000
   people, but they could.

   "We feel like there's a lot of pent-up demand," said Hugh Stump III,
   executive director of tourism in Gadsden, at the southernmost end of
   the sale.

   The crowd was predominantly older on the first day in Gadsden, and many
   people wore face masks and visibly tried to keep away from others.
   COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, can be particularly
   dangerous for the elderly and people with other health problems.

   But many others didn't wear facial coverings, and it wasn't uncommon to
   see people standing shoulder to shoulder as they looked through racks
   of clothes or tables full of shoes set up outside.

   Promoters considered canceling the event because of the pandemic, which
   has killed more than 160,000 Americans and infected nearly 5 million
   more, but they decided to go ahead with precautions including reminders
   about masks, social distancing and handwashing.

   "The fact that it's a mostly outdoor event was a large determining
   factor in going forward. There's plenty of space for social distancing
   and the other guidelines can be followed as well. In addition, because
   this event is critical to many people's livelihood it's very
   important," sale spokesperson Josh Randall said in an email.

   Vendors set up days early at Cumberland Mountain General Store in
   Clarkrange, Tennessee, where as many as 100 booths will be open though
   the weekend.

.