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.

At a University of Maine commencement years ago, a good friend, Al, received his Ph.D. and was “hooded” by my husband, his adviser. When Al’s name was called he made his way painfully across the stage on crutches, losing his mortarboard on the way. The entire audience let out a spontaneous “Oh.” Al received the loudest applause of the afternoon. 

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.”

Here’s a fun fact you might not know. Your “freedom of association” is not guaranteed specifically by name in the First Amendment. Don't believe me? Read it again.

State governments around the country have reacted differently to the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat it poses to people and to the economy. Many states -- Maine included -- took quick and decisive action to help stop the spread of the disease and to help people upended by job loss and financial instability caused by required physical distancing.

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.

My old-style landline phone surprised me when it rang that night. I wasn't expecting a call. I really wasn't expecting a call from the caller: drummer Jim Gordon.

Please stop talking about the electability of a woman to be president of the United States. It is racist or sexist to elect or not elect a person based on race or gender. When the person with the same agenda and values as the majority of people in this country runs for office, they will win the nomination regardless of race or gender.

The coronavirus which originated in Wuhan, China is turning our lives upside down. Kids are at home instead of being at school; families can’t visit their aging parents and grandparents; and our economy is in trouble. Six short weeks ago our economy was the strongest in 50 years. Workers were taking home bigger paychecks, help wanted signs blanketed Maine, and our unemployment rate was the lowest ever recorded. 

I believe Hydro-Quebec is currently trying to buy the expected Central Maine Power corridor referendum in November with their ads. A loophole in Maine’s election law allows a foreign influence to spend money in a referendum election. Some ads even compared Baxter State Park with The Jacques-Cartier National Park in Quebec to promote Quebec’s care for scenic beauty. 

One reason I read newspapers is to get a variety of opinions, so I read Matt Gagnon’s recent column concerning the latest government “spending spree” with interest.

I don't typically write follow up columns, but in this case I'm going to have to make an exception. A couple weeks ago, the column I wrote declared in rather concrete terms that I was not worried about the coronavirus. What I was more worried about than the virus, I said, was the impact that mass panic over the virus was having, and would continue to have, on society.

It’s time we retire the idea of “essential” and “nonessential” workers. If the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated anything, it’s that all the cogs in our economic machine are essential. Pull too many bits and pieces out, and the whole thing risks grinding to a halt.

We must assume ongoing risk of community transmission. We must continue social distancing. Stay home unless you have to leave for essential tasks. We must limit visiting with family who are not in our immediate households. Shopping for food or other supplies should no longer be a regular occurrence, but rather an occurrence of necessity

Usually after the Legislature closed I would go door to door as l am running for reelection. Because of the coronavirus pandemic I don't feel this possible. I will reach out the best I can. Feel free to contact me at 207-876-4047, 207-343-0258 and sendavis@myottmail.com.

Once I overheard a fellow genealogist complain that his family wasn’t interested in his research and all they wanted “was stories.” He was a “just the facts” genealogist and I sympathized with his family. Even I nod off when faced with a lengthy repetition of pages filled with nothing but names, birth, marriage and death dates.  

Maine needs to attract and retain young working families. The future of our economy depends upon it. As an early childhood educator, I am thrilled to see an understanding by our state leaders that this requires access to quality, affordable early care and education.