Even in the most rural of regions, the people chosen to represent us to the state prove just how much they deserve the job in times of public crisis. Clearly, this pandemic is such a time for us, and it is sadly obvious that Reps. Stearns, Foster and Higgins and Sen. Davis have no primary interest in their most important job --- keeping their constituents safe. If they did, they never would have published their joint letter "We Need to Open the Penquis Region Today."

The Maine people recently voted as a large majority to keep the law regarding vaccinations intact. By doing so, they showed that the majority of Maine citizens believe that protecting the public’s health overrides the individual’s right to refuse vaccinations. Likewise, protecting oneself from getting infected by the covid virus protects the public’s health.

Town buildings and certain facilities remain closed due to COVID-19 but the town’s work carries on.  Our first responders, police and fire are at the ready to answer the call day or night to make sure our community is safe.  The town’s road crew is busy with road work and preparing for summer paving.  If you’re still seeing broken trees or limbs affecting your commute, let us know.

The April 24 letter from Bob Jean made my day. He wrote the letter I didn't get around to writing myself, perhaps better than I could have.

I understand that the drawing for moose permits will be online only as those in charge feel that would be prudent. Many unusual restrictions of gathering and other freedoms have been decreed by the authorities in these troubled times.

Gov. Janet Mills’ leadership has kept Maine’s coronavirus infection and death rates among the lowest in the nation.

I call for the release of as many jail and prison inmates as possible in light of the threat to inmates of the COVID-19 virus. If anyone going into a locked facility, where inmates and staff have no good option of safe distancing, has the virus, it will be almost impossible to prevent a health and safety crisis.

Luckily, all of us can ease the pressure on our planet by filling our grocery bags — whatever they are made of — with delicious, healthy vegan foods. Researchers have found that animal-derived substances have carbon footprints two to 20 times larger than vegan foods.

One thing is certain, we live in this state of Maine, in a county and in a town. However, we also live in a "community.” What makes our community special is the people. Each one of us can share our resources, talents and love with our community.

More than 50 million households, representing more than one-third of the nation, already have responded to the 2020 Census. The census happens once every 10 years, and your response affects allocation of congressional seats and federal funds to your community -- for things like schools, hospitals, roads, and emergency services.

We are lucky to live here in Maine. Time outdoors has not been canceled! Take a walk down your road. A late-season snowshoe might still be possible for some. Find a local land trust trail. It does not have to be a grand excursion. It can be as simple as a 10 minute sit-down on the back steps to listen to the birds or gaze at the moon.

For everyone’s safety, our employees are following the social distancing precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials. We are asking people to not approach our carriers to accept delivery. Let the carrier leave the mailbox before collecting the mail. With schools not in session, children should also be encouraged to not approach a postal vehicle or carrier.

Mention COVID-19 and conversations turn to concerns about financial solvency and medical care. I want to remind us of something: You and I are lucky enough to live in a country where government is, “of the people, by the people and for the people”. COVID-19 is a beautiful reminder and opportunity to uphold governing ourselves.

Ronald Sweet’s recent letter to the editor questioned why the U.S. death rate could rise to 100,000, blaming this tragedy on government “ineptitude, incompetence, and inaction.” Like Mr. Sweet, I pray we can do better than these numbers, but I disagree with his analysis. I urge him to remember that information from the Chinese government, a regime which denies the reality of Tiananmen Square, is unreliable.

I would like to thank U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for once again putting the people of Maine before politics to craft the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides relief for small employers and their valued staff.

I appreciated Bruce Poliquin's call for unity in his recent column. The times certainly demand it. The times also demand increased discernment. The coronavirus pandemic shines the light on our absolute connection as humans.

Just days ago, I and millions of others received “The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America.” Since Donald Trump likes to have his name on everything, apparently to maintain his self-importance, it seems only fitting to me that we now refer to this deadly flu as the "Trump Virus.”

On Sunday (March 29), President Donald Trump said that if the United States can keep the death toll down to 100,000, "we all together have done a very good job." I pray we can do much better than that.