For reasons having to do with both inherent skepticism and defiant denial, I have been slow to embrace social distancing as anything more than mass hysteria. Over the past two weeks, however, I have evolved from “This is way overblown” to “This could kill me.” I have had this gradual change of heart as people […]
Forecaster Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: We can only panic for so long
The Greek god Pan must be rubbing his hands and licking his lips in perverse delight watching Americans respond to COVID-19. While the word “pandemic” isn’t derived from Pan (it comes from the Greek words “pan” meaning “all” and “demos” for “people”), the word “panic” does originate from Pan, who caused frightened humans to “flee […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion
Life Unwound: Handwashing can be a time to pause and breathe
Have you noticed all the noise telling us to quiet? I’ve followed virtual busy-ness ideas like online yoga classes, Zoom sessions for writers and meditation in chat groups. I know. Weird and wonderful. Yet, I also like the advice meant not to keep us busy but rather to keep us safe. Hand washing, hand sanitizer. […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Letter: Balentine needs to see people are Earth’s enemy
I was so surprised by Mr. Balentine’s opinion I had to read it twice. The Earth is indeed our friend, the friend we have taken from forever with little regard (“The Earth is our friend, and other viral lessons,” March 18). The friend we give little thought to in how we interact to sustainability. The […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Letter: Here’s why we’re panicking, Mr. Beem
Edgar Beem wants to know why we’re panicking over the Covid-19 pandemic and compares the incidence of deaths attributed to it to deaths from sleeping sickness. (“Will the panic be worse than the virus?” 3/18/20) It’s simple Mr. Beem. The Covid-19 virus is completely new to the human family. No one is immune. Yes, the […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Letter: May wiser heads rule during coronavirus outbreak
Finally, there are a few voices in the wilderness, calling out the nearly hysterical reaction to the COVID-19 virus. Thanks to Edgar Allen Beem for being one of them (“Will the panic be worse than the virus?” 3/18/20) While it is imperative that we take intelligent precautions in dealing with this new strain, the extreme […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Viral reaction ‘at the point of absurdity’
People’s true nature comes out during times of trial. And while COVID-19 is bringing out the best in some, it’s bringing out the worst in others. The same is true for state governments. Many are forcing their residents to shelter in place with threats of fines and imprisonment for those who want to go for […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: The curse of the Mook and the GOAT
As we hunker down and hope not to get sick, one of the things I miss the most about life as usual is sports. Sports, perhaps because they are not important in and of themselves, generally provide a welcome diversion from troubled times. Not now. New England sports fans, of course, have just suffered, along […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Mainewhile: Just hanging in there is helping
Well, hello out there. How is everybody holding up in this current situation? I hope you are all warm, dry and safe, with enough to eat and extra toilet paper at the ready. We are all hanging in there at my house. This is all such uncharted territory for us! I mean, OK, not entirely […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Letter: Laughter is the best medicine for what ails us
Heather Martin’s recent column moved me more than anything else I’ve read about our social response to the pandemic. Humor. What a weapon against fear! Right then, my thinking changed – a lot. Lots of us fear running out of hand sanitizer, but the liquor shelves have plenty! Bacardi 151 is 75% ethanol, which is […]