Every morning when I get out of bed I open my computer to the Maine.gov website to see how Maine is doing in the fight against the novel corona virus (Covid-19). I continue to see a gradual climb in cases. While I acknowledge that the governor and CDC representatives give daily briefings I just can’t shake a few things out of my mind.
I habitually see license plates from other states (NY, PA, NJ, MA) in my area and wonder how some of these people even found their way here. Did they come to avoid corona? Is anyone tracking them to make sure that they had the required 14-day quarantine? Bet not.
Then I inherently go to the thought that if it were possible to completely shut down the state for 14 days we would flatline corona. So, what we are trying to do is to get as close to that mark as we can in order to reduce the spread, right? But when I recently went on line to see about Bangor International Airport and the Portland Jetport I learned that each of them has daily flights coming from JFK, Baltimore, DC(2), Newark, Detroit, St. Petersburg, and Chicago. I called the CDC and asked why this is happening. I mean, some of these places are corona epicenters with high infection rates and all it takes is one rogue, asymptomatic person to spread corona more widely. Mathematically, one person, in 15 steps of infection can be responsible for transmitting corona to 15 million people. Maine CDC hotline (211) told me that the flights are essential. Why, I asked? Well, they probably have health care people who have been helping in other places. Really? I commend our health care workers for doing this, but REALLY? My daughter, who lives in Cumberland County, has older neighbors who just returned to their Maine home from their St. Petersburg winter home, going against conventional CDC suggestions that one remain where one is now rather than fly anywhere else. Were these people tracked? Uh, no. Were they tested, uh no. So, despite all of the precautions we have massive loopholes for the transmission of Covid-19 and I wonder why? Moreover, here we have Abbott Labs located in Scarborough who have perfected a Covid-19 test that can give results in 5-15 minutes. They are said to produce 50,000 per week. Maine got 155 as their allocation. Talk about a virtual ‘piss hole in the snow’. On top of that Maine is actually being forced to keep BIW open. I realize that there are some voluntary provisions that are possible to help protect workers, but JHC, people forced into a dangerous situation for them and their families not to mention a nice formula for keeping corona around and viable for longer than necessary? Remember – a 2 week complete shutdown flat lines the virus, so let’s shoot for approaching that mark. Being frivolous at this time in a pandemic does NOT pay off.
If we really want to hold down the corona virus spread we do need to close as many holes as possible. Why are airports open to PASSENGER travel? If there is a very good reason then what are the special provisions used to safeguard us and the passengers (you know, the ones NOT returning from St. Petersburg so they can get their garden raked and ready for planting).
While all of the rhetoric seems to point to Maine doing things that might appear to be several fingers in the corona dike, the reality is that we have a few more holes that are leaking and it only takes ONE drop to keep this going for the foreseeable future.
Richard Aishton
Farmington
Sush. It’s a secret.
Perhaps we could build walls around the state. New York could pay for it.
The Great Wall of China leaked…
SURPRISE!!!!
Richard,
You live in Farmington! They shouldn’t be anywhere close to that far north. I wouldn’t let them past the TOLL BOOTH.
I would like to know why they are up here too and many many more of us would also like to know. It’s way to early for the vacationers and we obviously don’t want them this year. (Besides businesses that rely on them for income)
If you have out of state plates, the State Police should be doing their job by stopping them at the toll’s, require them to answer the same questions you would when you cross the border to Canada. What is your business in Maine today? If you own a home here, what is the address? How do you plan to quarantine for the next 2 weeks?
Then have local police notified to check in on them.
We need a snitch line just like California does.
If they don’t want what happened in Vinalhaven to happen in many more places then they better start doing their job.
Anyone who feels this is draconic in any way should check themselves at the door. It isn’t draconic, it is protecting our state and our people. NY, PA, NJ, and MA shouldn’t be using us as they escape plan. We spend every winter here, live through the storms, deal with our own crazy neighbors, and get paid less than others from those states in order to stay in Maine.
Wow, fear and loathing in Maine! Alas, there is a secret plot to infiltrate Maine with coughing out of staters. They’ll be under your bed, hiding in your garage, laying low in your pantry. You need to give into fear and paranoia, that’s the only way you’ll be safe.
Aaron that would work if we lived in communist China but we don’t. Personal responsibility is what is needed but sadly that has been bread and taught out of today’s society. Personally I don’t think we need to do anything that Commiefornia does just look at what their governor has done. He has taken $125 million dollars that should be going to the people and businesses and has put it up for ILLEGAL ALIENS. So ya we don’t need to be like them what so ever. If you want to “snitch” on people then I am so glad I don’t live near you. I would constantly be talking with the popo and it wouldn’t make for a very enjoyable life.
Richard is under the impression that if we “completely shut down the state for 14 days we would flatline corona.” Though I don’t know exactly what he means by flatline, that would not eliminate the virus in this state, and even if it did, we’d have to shut down forever for it not to make it’s way back in. Flattening the curve of the corona virus is already an acceptance that we cannot stop it.
The shut down measures were intended to flatten the curve because of fears that hospitals would be overwhelmed. It has proven itself nowhere near as bad as the bad models that stoked the fears of the world. It’s been 3 months and the numbers coming in are roughly like that of the flu (a virus). The shut down likely has helped with flattening the curve, though given the continuing numbers, I think it’s now hurting us more than helping.
A handful or more of counties in this state have been shut down for weeks now, and still to date have fewer than 20 cases. Instead of quarantining the sick, all the healthy are being quarantined that is unless you have an “essential” job. Most all Mainers feel that their jobs are essential to their families. This virus will simply become “one of the many” viruses that make their way around the country every year. But next year, we’ll still be dealing with the recession or depression caused by this forced shutdown of people’s livelihoods. Governor Mills: Reopen this state! (At least every county with fewer than 50 cases)
You know people LIVE here, but have out of state plates right? Or have been in this state for months working or schooling, with their out of state plates and are choosing to stay put…..as they are told to do?! Don’t be ridiculous.
Guess some of you missed the point from this letter. First, with regard to out-of-staters. Yes, some do live here but are registered in other states. Fine, but some aren’t. It’s not that we are being invaded – it’s that we seem to have no way to check or account for people coming to Maine from higher risk states. We have NO testing and no way to account for people potentially infected. The Scott Erb comment is typical, just you being you, hey Scott? Missing the real point and skipping to a back-handed insult. Nice job.
I agree with many of the points in this letter. We have a lot of orders to do certain things in Maine but there are far too many ‘loopholes’ that can and will be ‘exploited’ by the corona virus. Lock all of the doors in your house to protect against thieves but leave several windows wide open.
I am a Florida resident with FL plates and the owner of a home in Farmington. I would be up with you now if I could, but we have had to delay our travel plans 3 times due to the shelter in place restrictions. If we are lucky we will be able to travel north just ahead of Memorial Day, nervously, carefully, and after calling places to be sure our motel reservations will be honored (they are all currently housing first responders). FL is a state that had done things too late and too piece meal. We have lots of covid-19 among us. We go out as little as possible, we wear masks, we carry home-made sanitizer, and we wash our hands as soon as we return home. We are as safe as can be accomplished here. You need to know how deadly this virus is and you need to heed the precautions your wise governor has instituted. I cannot speak for other out-of-state plates people, there are many careless yahoos in FL (including your ex-governor) and lots in other states. But do not judge us all by our plates. We KNOW how to take care of ourselves and not spread this deadly coronavirus. We are responsible citizens, and we are tax payers that shop and spend to help the local economy. We are your neighbors. This virus has brought out the best in so many people, and it has also revealed the dark fears of some. TV, radio, and the internet have given many of us wide knowledge, and yet these have also spread lies, misinformation, fear, and hate. We are each responsible for which we choose. We love Maine, we love Farmington and its wonderful people, and if we’re lucky, we will be with you again soon.
If you can’t say something nice…don’t say nothin’ at all.
Turn the Piscataqua River Bridge into a giant U-Turn. Close the Ports of Entry at Houlton, Jackman, Calais, and Limestone. Welcome to Maine, NOW GO HOME. Now that’s social distancing.
Well Scott Erb, at least you don’t have to worry about people hiding under your classroom desks, school is closed down, right?.
It’s those infected Chinese, no Europeans, no New Yorkers, no Portland, Lewiston, Farmington, next door, under my bed.
If you assume everyone that you haven’t lived with in the past two weeks is infected and take the appropriate social distancing steps, you may not be inclined to demand that everyone else be pushed out to sea on an ice floe.
Welcome to Democrat Socialism! You elect them – and then they take over. We’re seeing exactly….and I mean EXACTLY…what this means in Portland right now. Your constitutional rights are fluid (they are whatever 4 or 5 committees say they are), and you’re nothing more than cattle to be herded up into your homes. WHEN they say you may leave, then yes, you can be free. But NOT before! Religion? You can’t have that, even tho your rights are guaranteed in the US and Maine Constitutions….they’ve both clearly been suspended and few will even discuss that. Lefty people appear happy to live under conditions like this; but not EVERYONE is this willing.
Shortages will soon be the norm, and punitive and usurious taxation is coming soon – to be sure and drive off anyone who owns even a small, modest. home. While they prevent you from working. This state was BROKE before this; the Mills admin had spent it all upon arrival. Who will they turn to now, to fund their play-time project, including ‘global warming solutions’ (based on the same type of models used for Covid, mind you) – why, YOU AND ME! At least they’re working on using the ‘right’ pronouns though, huh? Maine is about to see the biggest backlash against Liberalism in its history…hang on to your seats. Incompetence and mis-management are now going to be called TO THE FLOOR and dealt with.
We’ve really enjoyed knowing you guys are holding secret, illegal and hypocritical meetings while people are barred, literally, from being free – let’s see how long that lasts, going forward.
Have they funded nursing homes yet? How are the illegals in Portland doing, have they had enough taxpayer money to tide them over? I’m sure my kid could go without a little more in order to provide them with cell phones.
Cheryl,
Good points you make.
Thanks for being responsible.
I know Fla got swarmed.
Since you “went there” ,, “Our” ExGovernor of which you speak would also be “your” ExGovenor if you are a Mainer.
We’re all in this together,,right.
Stay safe and see you soon back in Vacationland.
We will keep the light on for ya.
Regarding the relief funds for undocumented workers in Calif. – these are the people planting/harvesting the crops, cleaning and cooking in many restaurants, doing child care, housekeeping in the homes of many essential
workers, paying 9.25%+ in sales taxes, and doing the work that “Americans” won’t.
Without them, food could become scarcer and prices would increase and more small businesses would go under for lack of workers. Without help, people/families who have been here for decades would suffer homelessness and hunger. Need a conscience guide? “What would Jesus do?”
We are in florida, as we have been for many winters.. We want to get home but there are lots of problems. We have the SF50 in for it scheduled engine overhaul. It has been a great winter. The governor here has done a great job protecting us.. We have felt very safe… We have visited with the former governor of Maine several times this past season and had a great time.. We will be driving home to Maine soon as we love Maine very much and it is home to us.. We hope the present governor up there does not close the border.. We have not driven back and forth for many years as it is a long trip through more than a dozen states, but with the problems everywhere we will not have the S50 available for this trip.. We just hope to be with you all soon…
OMG OverRegulated ….. i had to check to see if we both read the same letter because your comment is simply on another planet. Holy Crap. Do me a favor and just write a letter like that because what you said above has ZERO bearing on the content or meaning of the letter. I don’t want you to think I am trying to limit your right to free speech, but your letter above does give me the willies (Cue Rod Serling: It was just another normal day in Farmington ……)
Mr. Aishton,
It’s clear to me why you don’t get it.
Marie E.
To answer your question. “What would Jesus do?”
Not abort children.
Or respect those that are in authority I.e. President Trump.
You do not want to come in as a left left wing liberal and try throwing Biblical reasoning when you find one passage that applies. The Bible is not a pick and choose. As you have gone against WWJD in most of your posts.
Marie who needs the food they are growing? Maybe some personal responsibility will solve that problem for them. My point is we don’t and most of us aren’t like that we can grow our own. So again we don’t need to be like commiefornia.
Marie, I know what Jesus would do. He would advise the workers to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, return to their places of birth to get documented, then reenter the US, through the front door this time.
Currently, many of those undocumented workers in CA are now helping to plow under crops that can’t be sold because a good deal of the delivery-chain has been ordered to stay home.
@ Scott Erb
Apparently you feel the joke is on us. Lets bring back the students and get back to normal. Everyone goes back to work, kids go back to school and life goes on. No worries!!
People refuse to learn. People hauling infected honey bee hives up and down the New England coast infected many of the native populations in the areas. People bouncing from state to state do the same thing. Maine has the oldest population in the country. For those of you who normally brave the cold and mud of spring and can not get here I feel sorry for you. But many of these people who are here now normally only want the best Maine has to offer which is not this time of year. Your part of the problem. We have some of the best minds in the world working on a vaccine . Hopefully they come through with something before the self-centered and narrow minded decide to jump the gates.
Marie, No illegals belong in our country collecting anything from American taxpayers, not now and not ever. If you don’t understand the underlying logic of secure borders and law and order you, madam, belong in a place that has neither. Now more than ever, this point should have been pounded into whatever remains of your analytical thought process. Our country suffers because of illegals, bogus asylum claims and the welfare costs associated with those attracted to our free stuff welfare lifestyle.
Aaron, Congratulations you made it through the dogs liberal only sensorship filter. Gods speed to you sir.
If you don’t know what the “Golden Rule” refers to, look it up. It’s a “universal” tenet in major religions and spiritual teachings. It seems little practiced nowadays.
P.S. Until I can get Maine-grown almonds, avocados, table grapes, many fresh fruits and lettuce year-round, etc., I’ll hope that California prospers and takes care of its most vulnerable.
J.S Kennedy if you think a vaccine is what we need you need to look further into Bill Gates and big pharma. Hi t they are not here to help. There is no money in curing people only to keep you coming back to them. Unless this miraculous vaccine takes a few years (at least) to prove it’s safe my family won’t be in line to get it. Stay blind sheeple.
@ Ozerki: You liked that, did you? It was a general statement, not supposed to be directed at the letter or its author. Other than the continued over-blowing of the virus; we’re making WAY more of this than needs to be. Precautions are enough. Soon enough, the cure will be worse than the disease; far more people’s lives are being ruined while we dilly dally and trust a guy who failed in his last job in Illinois, who is now head of Maine CDC. Because Maine Democrats spent every last thing we have in their first session, many MORE will have their lives wrecked, without a doubt, as they keep on passing the bill over to working Mainers (well, formerly working).
You’re living now with a ‘living, breathing Constitution’ – how’s that working out? Anything the Gov and her advisors wish to do, they can do. Including simply erasing your livelihood. I think it’s actually good to at least know how fast your freedom can be taken, just the stroke of a pen.
That was really all I had to say…we either rapidly learn to deal with ‘life with corona’, far less of a problem than say, polio and smallpox were for our ancestors…or we’re going to be DONE. Not by doing stupid things, no; by learning, and using what we’ve learned – distancing, masks, cleaning, and opening up the damn state. Free people don’t cower for months. The bulk of people are starting to demand this.
@OverRegulated – and a few other ooga-boogas- Jeezum, Give it a rest! We have enough to deal with without hyping up conspiracies of ”Democrat Socialism”, promulgated by the Oh so pure Right-wing, and hypothetical doomsday theories.
Look perhaps to, Mitch McConnell advocating state and local bankruptcy, which will Decimate the pension plans of Millions of Americans, if you want to talk about Real Political Malfeasance!
I have to feel sorry for those people so manipulated that they think Bill Gates and others are all in some grand conspiracy here to control them. Put on your tin foil hats! And to think, as they buy wild conspiracy theories hook, line and sinker, they think OTHER people are sheeple. Oh the irony!
I am no professor but I believe it’s called perspective Scott. I personally find it odd that you would put full trust for yourself and your families into peoples hands that you have no idea what there intentions may or may not be.
Zip, The failed pension plans are in the big welfare centric states, such as MI, IL, Newyuk etc. These states and others while under liberal leadership have spent themselves broke. It’s a self inflicted wound caused by inept leadership. A case not unlike Maine. Years of liberals spending money on bad ideas and then saddling the taxpayers that still have “jobs”, with the bill for their own bad management.
The Senate majority leader is correct when he says, hell no, to giving these guys more money to float a boat they themselves scuttled. This China virus is restructuring some of these tax bloated states. Education is moving out of the classroom, it’s downsizing, and the teachers union is freaking out because their state sponsored gravy train is ending. No one has to pay for a social worker, busses or sports if your kids are learning at home. Anyone think the overpriced restaurant business in portland is coming back anytime soon? How about the 7 dollar draft? It ain’t happening folks. With this comes the big loss of tax dollars. The hogs at the trough in Augusta, used to feeding on the taxpayer, are figuring out they are finished. The restaurants already know it. The colleges albeit late to arrive, are starting to figure it out. States like Maine will follow suit or declare bankruptcy.
I love to watch this play out. We can no longer rely on the ignorance of a hundred years ago to protect our actions. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt our actions can cause the death of another as surly as the thrust of a knife yet there are many that are more then willing to revert back to the ancient herd mentality and let the percentages fall. But its no longer that simple, your not going to crawl off and die by yourself your going to run to one of our thousands of care givers who are allready scared to death rolling the dice for themselves and their familys to fix your dumb ass. Being brave is all about placing your own life in jeopardy not everyone elses.
Do NOT swallow or inject any disinfectant. Don’t spray it on your eyes, in your nose or in your mouth.
Mr. Kennedy perhaps you should speak to more people around here (Franklin county) and ask their perspective on going to see a Dr. you may be surprised to find there is not a lot of people that are going to rush to be saved. Not because of health insurance or the lack of but simply because there is a lot of distrust when it comes to pharmaceuticals and how they aren’t actually designed to heal but designed to keep you coming back.
Scott the funny thing is you may think we are sheep yet sheep don’t need the government telling us what we can and can’t do. That pesky constitution you leftists hate so much keeps the power with us. So forgive me if I don’t buy into what a Public Servant tells me what to do. I’m an adult and I’m quite fine thinking independently. People who think the government will fix everything are the sheep and the wolves are knocking can you hear it ?
“Marie E.
April 24, 2020 • 12:38 pm
Do NOT swallow or inject any disinfectant. Don’t spray it on your eyes, in your nose or in your mouth.”
¿Really? You are going to push this action as if someone suggested this? What bizarre world or missinformation are you spreading? I guess you read the Washington Post? Maybe you follow this; (The Washington Post’s Amber Phillips was caught red-handed spreading fake news about the cost of isopropyl alcohol, a substance that can be used to efficiently remove the coronavirus from surfaces)
Nuff Said….
Not funny how some people don’t trust what scientists say. Penicillin is good for many (bacterial) infections and has saved many lives. You can count on that. Would an antibiotic be useful to fight off a virus, any virus? NO. Does cigarette smoking harm your health? YES. Does using a seat belt in a car make the wearer safer? YES. Are speed limits on roads and highways based on research? YES.
Questioning authority has become a rite of passage for many and then we (hopefully) grow up and realize that there are usually good reasons and points of law that keep us civil and engaged in good practices.
In fact, there are many amazing scientific TRUTHS that “Public Servants” embrace to keep people safe/well/protected.
Pure,
You state that you are not a professor “as if” being one actually means much.
Too many of the good old profs left intellectual integrity in favor of political activism. Hiding behind their title.
So, you’re good on your own standing.
Because it’s an election year, the libs will force the cure worse than the disease just to get rid of someone they hate. And they will fail.
Hang on folks.
Libs, lefty, righty, all the names folks use to feel comfortable with their fears. Good for the man to take the time to write the editor. Good for him to express his fear, and likely as a senior. Are summer people going to enjoy vacations this summer? Not much. Lots of frowns around this subject! The welcome mat is yanked for good reason. Stay home in your state. It is your home, or just where is the upper class’ real home? Are you truly safe in Maine? This year folks should be invited. By now most people here in the usa are evermore spiritually evolved, or are certainly on their way these recent days. Very tough to cope with this scene each day. People do change into better people. I just wanted to say here, my prayers are for cool heads and a growing awareness of the many struggles we ALL face together globally today, and tomorrow. Can’t simply force a negative mind, but hope to reach it where somewhere one remembers its mother carried this baby to this light and this life, and you just cried being born that day…. now look how far you have come into the light. Or maybe just beginning to. But why the name calling and sarcasm, hurting others? Neutrality in reasoning sessions is not called toleration, just a quiet acceptance of another persons view. Be constructive here and everywhere you go people, not destructive. Get out of you’re heads and into you’re hearts. Look deep into yourselves, or ask for help from the right ones. Blessed Akae Beka – Fort Knox Midnite