03-29-2020
Not to whom it may concern because this CONCERNS EVERYONE:
About two weeks ago, I came down with a cold that quickly went to my chest, with not much fever, but very hard to breathe, very weak and painful. I called work to let them know and they told me I could not come back for 14 days, no matter what, to protect others and our customers. At the time, I thought that was silly, but now I understand. Anyway, I self quarantined myself 14 days just to make sure I did not cause anyone else to catch whatever this was. I said all of that to get to this, as you would expect, I have watched a lot of television and a lot of news. I have watched this COVID-19 crisis everyday from when we only had a few cases in the United States until now over 115,000 known cases and over 2,000 deaths and growing fast in the US alone.
Going forward to March 28, today was my first day out of the house and back to work. I know all of the restrictions we are under, all of the businesses that are closed, school closing for the rest of this school year, and our new phrase “social distancing”. However, what really blew my mind as I got out, other than getting a haircut, going inside a restaurant to eat, or going to church, it is business as usual. People are everywhere. Entire families, 6-8 members including infants, are going into Wal-Mart, convenience stores, and dollar stores! People are everywhere! I did not expect this. Are we not paying attention to the COVID-19 crisis, the biggest health care crisis in over 100 years??? People are dying! We lost our first Russellvillian to COVID-19 today!
People, this is the biggest health crisis we have seen in over a hundred years. Government should not have to force us to stay at home. We are smarter than this. I know we have to work and have things we have to do, but again this is the biggest health crisis in the world in the last 100 years. This is simple, go to work, practice social distancing as much as you can, wash your hands frequently, use sanitizers, and masks, if you can, and GO HOME! I am not speaking as a councilmen, but as a concerned citizen who loves everyone and wants us to get through this. Watch our data, listen to the experts, and STAY HOME! Praying a lot will definitely help and not hurt!
Just a fact, while writing this letter, the death toll in the United States, went from 2000 to 2043 that quickly. If not for yourself, do it for the people you love! PLEASE STAY HOME!
My prayers and thoughts are with you!
Your friend,
Gary Cummings
