I am angry! I just cancelled my trip to visit my 92-year old mother. When I made the cross-country flight reservations, many months ago, I believed the COVID-19 pandemic would be controlled enough to allow travel. We were headed in the right direction until President Trump cried out, “Open the economy!" This charge to open the economy while burying his head in the sand has doomed us all. Dollars that would have been spent on flights, rented cars, food and hotels will now stay home. This is happening all over the country as we pull back, rather than step forward, in response to the continuing growth of the pandemic. More people become ill, more die, more lose their jobs, more stay home. The Trump policy to open the economy followed by his command to open the schools will have the effect of dooming the economy and closing the schools. It would have been so simple to follow medical advice: mask, socially distance, wash your hands, do not congregate in large groups. We could have been leaders in mitigation techniques and COVID-19 prevention. Instead I have to cancel plans to visit my mom. I am so angry!

Cindy Fortner

Mystic