I was twelve when my family moved into the lodge on the western shore of Umsaskis Lake. The lodge set up on a high bank overlooking the lake. My siblings and I would spend the next five summers exploring the outdoors there.
The COVID-19 crisis has impacted us all in a multitude of ways. We’ve seen iconic small businesses closing their doors, schools sending students home to learn online and public events come to a standstill since the CDC issued its directive to maintain social distancing.
Luck often brings false hope. It is now getting into late spring. Fields are drying out, and soon the roar of tractors and trucks will be heard.
All across the state, Mainers are worried about how they are going to continue to make ends meet. This is true whether they are one of the thousands of Mainers out-of-work through no fault of their own or a small business owner who had to shut their doors for the sake of public health. The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our world upside down, ground our economy to a halt and threatened the financial security of hardworking families.
What has been the hardest part of all of this? What inspires you to keep going through it? And what do you see on the other side of the crisis we find ourselves in?
What I can tell you, however, is that in times like this, there are everyday heroes all around us. You need only look around or thumb through the pages of the paper to find them.
As with many difficult situations, there will always be those who will try to take advantage of the situation.
The Allagash Wilderness Waterway has over 200 miles of boundary lines. These lines mark the edge of the AWW restricted zone or state of Maine ownership.
One group that won’t be able to get this time back is the graduating Class of 2020. This year’s senior class is missing out on so many “last time” events following the abrupt closures of schools back on March 16.
The State House may be closed, but my staff, my colleagues and I are all working hard remotely to make sure Maine people are taken care of during this public health crisis.
