Dear Editor:

We originally stayed home because it was new, unknown and scary. We collectively agreed to be diligent so our hospitals did not become overwhelmed. After being steadfast for 60 days, and based on these factual numbers I gathered, I am choosing to go about and live freely again. Yes, some citizens are still and will always be high-risk and they have to decide how to navigate their choices, likely for years.

I urge individuals, businesses, event organizers and elected officials to begin going about life as usual again. It’s time!

Maine: 1,328,361 citizens as of May 9: 1408 cases (0.11%), 64 deaths (0.0048%)

NYC Metro: 18,804,000 citizens as of May 9: 177,481 cases (0.94%), 19,795 deaths (0.10%)

California: 39,510,000 citizens as of May 9: 64,561 cases (0.16%), 2,678 deaths (0.0067%)

USA: 331,000,000 citizens as of May 10: 1,300,696 cases (0.39%), 78,771 deaths (0.023%)

Megan Clouse

Boothbay