We need to open the Penquis region today  

While the number of deaths statewide resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak has risen over the last week, there have been none in Piscataquis County since the outbreak began and the total number of confirmed cases here stands at just one.

While state officials refuse to release data on the number of cases by city and town, it is clear that the Penquis region of Maine has a similar rate of success at avoiding infections. 

Since Gov. Mills declared a state of civil emergency back in mid-March, local food stores, gas stations, convenience stores and other businesses that are deemed essential have continued to operate safely while adapting to the various requirements and providing products and services to our citizens. 

Surely there is now ample evidence that the Penquis region has proven it can adhere to the appropriate guidelines without the need for a full closure of our community enterprises. 

For these reasons, we call on Gov. Mills to take immediate steps to allow the reopening of businesses in the Penquis region based on their ability to adhere to appropriate guidelines and safety measures, rather than on whether their role is listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as essential. 

We are first and foremost committed to keeping the people of our region safe and healthy and we believe that, given the region’s record during the outbreak, the evidence shows that we can maintain that commitment and begin bringing closed businesses safely back online.