A matter of safety

To the Editor;

The teaming frustrations aired by protesters demanding removal of restrictions to our daily lives due to the highly contagious COVID-19 virus is frightening. Why one would even consider endangering my life and yours by not following simple directions from our elected officials to promote safety?

Sure, Piscataquis County has only one recorded victim of the virus. But there may be others who just have not registered their illness or who have not been symptomatic (to date) who may very well spread this viral contagion.

The loss of business and livelihood is significant and must be addressed. But the idea that scores of new victims are developing because of financial/career stress and uncertainty is unclear. President Trump imagines serious increases in substance abuse and suicide with current economic turmoil. As a retired mental health and substance abuse clinician, I doubt this. When stress is universally shared with the entire globe, self blame and despair is not the same. Issues that negatively affect one in financial trouble can be remedied if we press for more federal assistance. Risking serious complications and deaths by not cooperating with epidemiologists’ prescriptions for safer living, we are endangering the planet yet again.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference (Reinhold Niebuhr  1892-1971).  Prayer adopted by AA.

Jane Fairchild LCSW

Orneville Township