Dear Editor:

The operative word is “Need.”

Yes! Until we get back on track, America, we don’t need the world. We don’t need all those non-essentials in the big stores or even the small stores. We don’t need food from 20 different cuisines. To survive, we don’t need haircuts, hair coloring, manicures, massages or tattoos

We need to move into survival mode and that requires just four things: food, shelter, money and healthcare.

Food: plant a victory garden, create recipes that are lasting. Be creative with leftovers. Try giving up meat for a week or two. Drink healthy smoothies. Develop a love for soup. Get creative in the kitchen.

Shelter: If you’re dry, warm or cool according to the outdoor temp, and have a place to rest your body and you’re not homeless, you have shelter. Be thankful for that!

Money: It’s time to share the wealth. If you have more than your neighbor and your neighbor is in need, share your wealth! Seek out those in your neighborhood, town or city that have an obvious need for some cash and offer them help. You don’t have to give up all that you have, just share your wealth. Buy some groceries for a needy neighbor; slip some cash under their door. If you have more than you need, share the wealth. A little help goes a very long way when you are in need. If you call yourself a “neighbor,” be one and share what you have in these difficult times.

Healthcare: You have a doctor? You can afford a doctor’s appointment. If you know your neighbor needs health help, offer to take them to a doctor’s appointment — and pay for it. Simple as that. It may be no more than a Tele-Med call but it could put your neighbor at ease. And if there is a prescription involved, pick it up, pay for it, and deliver it to your neighbor’s doorstep.

All of this is doable until we are back to some sense of normal life. We all have neighbors and that makes us a “neighbor.” Let’s choose the Mr. Rogers way of life — be a good neighbor.

Be a good citizen — wear a mask, keep your distance.

Pat Young

East Boothbay