To the Journal editor:

There is an old saying the if you fail to heed the mistakes of the past, you are doomed to repeat them in the future. The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 reminds us of that. So does the terrifying polio epidemic during the middle of last century, in which many schools, theaters, bowling alleys, swimming pools, and businesses etc. were closed.

However, citizens unselfishly united for the common good and weathered the storm.

We do know that the COVID-19 virus is super contagious and spreads like wildfire, as cases continue to increase steadily. With nationwide deaths already over (100,000) in just barely three months time, more Americans have died of this dreaded disease than during to 20 years Vietnam War. It is far more deadly and vicious than the common flu, with effects that sometimes linger for weeks. How anyone can foolishly dismiss it as being insignificant or a “hoax” defies the most basic logic.

While Michigan ranks tenth in population among the states, it typically ranks third in COVID-19 cases. While the great majority of Michiganders, Yoopers and trolls alike, have nobly embraced the need for personal sacrifice, a few among us have defiantly used COVID-19 as a partisan, political wedge.

Additionally, a surprising percentage of our selfish minority have simply refused to wear masks in public places or exercise any cautionary behavior, unwisely citing their personal freedom, thus putting the rest of us at increased risk.

Experts warn us that this virus won’t be going away anytime soon. Too many of us mistakenly want to believe that COVID-19 can’t get a strong hold in our own rural America. If it does, our small regional hospitals and health care workers will almost surely be overwhelmed.

At this unique and scary time in American history, we’re all in this thing together. It’s no time for political gamesmanship. It’s about being part of the solution, not the problem. It’s all about uniting for the common good, and employing good common sense in the process.

Do heed the wise advice of COVID experts, keep the faith and stay safe.