Hospital Admits First Patient With Covid-19; Towns Direct Islanders to Stay Home in Sweeping, Restrictive Order
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital confirmed Wednesday that it had admitted its first patient for treatment from Covid-19, one day after Chilmark, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Tisbury and West Tisbury adopted a sweeping stay-at-home emergency order.
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital confirmed Wednesday that it had admitted its first patient for treatment from Covid-19.
“As of this writing, MVH currently has one patient hospitalized who had tested positive for Covid-19," the hospital reported in its daily press briefing, which went out around noon on Wednesday.”
Hospital testing area, only open by appointment for people who have received prior clearance.
Hospital testing area, only open by appointment for people who have received prior clearance.
No further information was available, communications spokesman Katrina Delgadillo told the Gazette by phone, although in a followup email she said the patient is stable.
She could not confirm whether the case was a new case or one of the previously reported cases on the Vineyard. As of Tuesday, two confirmed cases had been reported by Island boards of health, one in West Tisbury and one in Tisbury. Both patients are male and in their 50s and were reported to be recovering in quarantine at home.
The news come one day after five Island towns moved swiftly and unanimously Tuesday to adopt a tough new stay-at-home order, sharply limiting the number of “essential activities” for which residents are allowed to travel.
The emergency order, drawn up quickly out of widespread concern that the statewide order announced by Gov. Charlie Baker was insufficient, limits public gatherings to five people or less, bans all construction and landscaping work, and generally restricts travel to health care activities, take-out and food delivery and caregiving.
Chilmark acted first, with the boards of selectmen and health unanimously approving the order. Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Tisbury and West Tisbury soon followed, passing nearly identical measures. The orders take effect at 5 p.m. on Tuesday in Chilmark, midnight Tuesday in Edgartown and 5 p.m. Wednesday in Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and West Tisbury, and run until noon on April 7.
Aquinnah is due to take up the issue at a meeting Thursday morning.
Action on the emergency measure came hours after the second confirmed case of Covid-19 was announced by the West Tisbury board of health. Officials said the patient is a 50-year-old male living with two family members.
“The patient is under quarantine at their West Tisbury home and appears to be recovering,” a statement from the board of health said. “The patient’s family and close contacts have been identified and are in self-quarantine and taking all recommended precautions.”
The first case was confirmed by the Tisbury board of health last Friday, a Tisbury man also in his 50s who is recovering at home, according to the board of health in that town.
Statewide, the total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 rose by 382 since Monday. A total of 1,159 positive cases were confirmed as of Tuesday, and 11 deaths.
Summit meeting held Monday by teleconference included officials from around the Island.
Summit meeting held Monday by teleconference included officials from around the Island.
The emergency order on the Vineyard was fashioned after a similar stay-at-home order enacted by the town of Nantucket over the weekend and includes travel restrictions both in and out of the town. Language in the order was drafted and tweaked by a working group that included town counsel Ron Rappaport, Tisbury town counsel Jay Doneski and the Island’s six town administrators.
Island leaders formed the working group on Monday, when towns scrambled to hold an emergency teleconference summit to implement and address what they felt were “gaps” in Gov. Charlie Baker’s statewide stay-at-home order.
The new order also includes a variety of travel restrictions. It bars anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19 from traveling to the town unless they have proof of two negative tests, and — with the exception of in Edgartown and West Tisbury, which removed the provision — requires that any person traveling to the town for purposes other than those outlined in the order has to self-isolate for 14 days at their place of residence.
Full-time residents of the town are permitted to return to their homes, and people who are not full-time residents are permitted and "encouraged" to leave.
"Unfortunately and reluctantly, we need to limit people coming here. In the next five to 10 days we are going to see what's happening with our curve," said Chilmark selectman James Malkin. "The hospital and the boards of health are pretty uniform that we need to do everything we can to restrict travel to the Island. This is one of those things we can do to help them."
The operation of hotels, motels and rentals are permitted to maintain their current lodging arrangements, as long as they precede the order. Otherwise, they can only operate in the event that the virus’s spread worsens and are needed for use as quarantine facilities.
Residents are allowed to engage in outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, biking and surfing, provided they keep a six-foot social distance from others.
Violation of the order is punishable by a $1,000 fine.
Enforcement of the order is left up to police departments and Island health agents.
Speaking to the Gazette by phone on Tuesday, Chilmark police chief Jonathan Klaren described his philosophy of enforcement in that town.
"I won't be parked on the road, flagging cars over and asking them who they are and where they are coming from," he said. "But we are taking it very seriously. We hope that people would voluntarily heed the warnings, becuase it really is for the good of the community."
At meetings held by teleconference in each of the towns, selectmen acknowledged that the orders were onerous, but essential to protect public health.
Time of emergency Islandwide.
Time of emergency Islandwide.
"We are painfully aware that is a very difficult position to put the people of the Island in," said Tisbury selectman Melinda Loberg.
"It's unfortunate that this is where we are, but this is where we are," said Edgartown selectman Margaret Serpa.
At an unprecedented summit meeting held by teleconference Monday afternoon, selectmen agreed to direct their town administrators to draft the stay-at-home order.
“We want this to be rapid, and for it to be more extreme than governor’s orders,” said Mr. Malkin. “We definitely want it to be more restrictive.”
The all-Island summit Monday included selectmen from every Island town and all six town administrators, as well as town health agents and members of the boards of health. The emergency meeting was called in response to the governor’s order earlier Monday directing town boards of health to institute stay-at-home orders.
Vineyard leaders spoke in serious tones when describing the crisis and agreed on the need to act quickly. Among other things, it was agreed that the Islandwide stay-at-home order should include language that would prevent businesses currently closed from opening, ensure that restaurant pickup is curbside only, and ban construction.
The governor’s order lists construction crews as an essential service.
“I think really the only things that are included in [the governor’s] order are T-shirt shops and jewelry stores,” Oak Bluffs selectman Brian Packish said Monday, speaking of the actual impact of the order on Martha’s Vineyard. “I’m not sure if what the governor did has any teeth.”
The Nantucket stay-at-home order, which Vineyard leaders hoped to use as a guide, also requires anyone who travels to the Island to self-isolate at home for two weeks. Vineyard leaders said that they wanted their order to include similar travel restrictions, although the legal authority for enforcing them was still unclear.
Mr. Rappaport suggested that rather than including the travel restrictions in the order, they could come as an add-on to the vote approving the order.
“The message that we are trying to get out is for people to shelter at home as much as possible,” Oak Bluffs town administrator Bob Whritenour said. “Hopefully that includes travel restrictions.”
The state has been reluctant to limit travel to the Island partly due to legal concerns, according to Mr. Malkin, who is also the Vineyard Steamship Authority governor.
A working group with all six town administrators, as well as Mr. Rappaport and Tisbury town counsel David Doneski was formed to draft the stay-at-home order.
In a briefing Monday morning, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital officials painted a grim assessment of the coming threat from Covid-19. Officials said 35 people have been tested and more positive cases were expected. As of Monday morning, no one was hospitalized with the virus.
“We expect this to get worse before it gets better,” said hospital president and CEO Denise Schepici said, adding the hospital expects to see a surge of cases within the next few weeks.
With only 25 licensed beds and three intensive care beds, the small Island hospital could quickly become overwhelmed, she said. “We do not have enough staff in a pandemic like this,” Ms Schepici said. “That will be our biggest vulnerability, especially if they become sick.”
Ferries are running, but mainland travelers are urged to not come to the Vineyard during emergency.
Ferries are running, but mainland travelers are urged to not come to the Vineyard during emergency.
Statewide, beginning at noon Tuesday, essential businesses including grocery stores, medical facilities and pharmacies will remain open, but non-essential businesses must close.
At a news conference Monday morning in Boston, Governor Baker urged common sense. “We’re asking everyone to . . . think about the impact this virus is having on the sick and elderly, and to limit their interactions with other people,” he said.
The governor’s order details what is considered an essential business. The order also allows most food services to continue takeout as long as they continue social distancing practices, and exempts most public works, transportation providers, agricultural workers, financial services providers and health care workers.
By Tuesday afternoon states of emergency had been declared in five of the six Island towns and also countywide, and individual construction bans had been adopted in all towns but Oak Bluffs.
The stay-at-home order includes a clause banning broad swath of construction activity including landscaping and housecleaners.
The clause was a topic for lengthy discussion among the Tisbury selectmen and board of health Tuesday afternoon before they voted the order. Some felt it was too restrctive, and conflicted with the town construction ban approved by both boards also on Tuesday. In the end the clause was removed from the Tisbury stay-at-home order and replaced with a reference to the town construction ban.
The Vineyard hospital and its parent company, Partners Healthcare, over the weekend put out messages on the Steamship Authority’s website indicating that people should avoid travel — and that second-home owners should stay put.
By Wednesday, the hospital plans to shut down its building to all non-clinical staff or staff that is necessary for their support. All staff allowed in the building would be required to wear masks. There will be a separate entryway for employees, different from the triage tent that is set up outside the emergency room.
The hospital is also developing a system to receive donated items, like masks and other personal protective equipment, expected to be in place by late Monday or early Tuesday. Leaders thanked those who have donated gear already.
Ms. Schepici reiterated that residents should stay home, continue to avoid contact with other people, and not come to the hospital unless instructed to do so or in an emergency -- and that failing to do so would put lives in jeopardy.
“We know that we have people traveling. We know that we have people not self-quarantining,” Ms. Schepici said. “People are not taking this seriously. And we had a positive patient here who had a lot of community contact.”
In a letter sent by Rep. Dylan Fernandes and state Sen. Julian Cyr to Governor Baker, the hospital says it has requested the use of the National Guard for safety concerns regarding their staff and to assist in triage, like constructing new tents or additional testing infrastructure, were a surge to occur.
“We are preparing for an influx of positives,” Ms. Schepici said.
The individual town orders are here: Chilmark, Edgartown, West Tisbury Others will be added when they are posted.
Will Sennott and Aaron Wilson contributed reporting.
Comments
Please, let us all cooperate
Lorraine EdgartownPlease, let us all cooperate to the max as the sooner we all follow best practices the sooner we can get back to our daily lives. Notice I did not write normal...daily lives is what I and most people want and cherish.
This is leadership.
Regina Hurley EdgartownThis is leadership.
Hardly! More like slow
Carol formerly ChilmarkHardly! More like slow followership. In CA we're going into our second week of stay-at-home.
Indeed, but in CA you are
JG ChilmarkIndeed, but in CA you are much further into the crisis, with more reported cases and more deaths. The decision here was taken "earlier" relative to CA, when you factor in each geography's spread of the virus and the impact on the population on the date at which each decision was taken. So actually this IS an example of true leadership given how few cases we have to-date here.
It’s sad to see many not
R W tisburyIt’s sad to see many not following guidance. I don’t really understand it. I can’t see how all this is going to work if people don’t follow the rules. Also how will the islands stay safe with influx’s of summer residents kids guests housekeepers renters people who have travelled everywhere returning to the small islands. This seems untenable.
We're a couple of weeks away
Brian Smith Oak BluffsWe're a couple of weeks away from getting back to normal. It's not fun but come April we will all be on full steam ahead for the Summer season. It will be somewhat different than other seasons but as time goes on the hysteria will diminish.
That's lovely thinking, but
Al Reis EdgartownThat's lovely thinking, but there is little evidence to back up that optimism- we need to prepare ourself for a long haul here. Could be summer with things still in a state of limited movement- scarier than the shark in JAWS.
I wish you were right but you
R Scott Patterson EdgartownI wish you were right but you don't know what you are talking about. This is going to be going on for at minimum 6 months but more likely 1.5-2 years.
Just my opinion but a lot of
John Gault Oak BluffsJust my opinion but a lot of responsible businesses are being hit by this. The construction people will not forget this overreach by the ruling class. WE VOTE and we will remember this, the trade persons are working from pay check to pay check while those who make the rules will sit at home be paid such as all government staff.
We want this to be rapid, and
B. Chilmark BostonWe want this to be rapid, and for it to be more extreme than governor’s orders,” said Chilmark selectman Jim Malkin. “We definitely want it to be more restrictive.”
Wow, You show everyone how it's done. Glad to know the World experts are in Chilmark !!
Well, you only vote if you're
Carol formerly ChilmarkWell, you only vote if you're alive. Clearly you are not up to speed on the lethality - or contagion - of this virus. People are heavily contagious for at least 48 hours before any symptoms appear - before they know they are sick - and in some cases, they are contagious and NEVER feel symptoms. But you will. Here's what you could be looking at - if you are lucky enough to score a ventilator at MVRH, which has - what - 3? https://www.propublica.org/article/a-medical-worker-describes--terrifyi…
The wording is important.
wordsmith VHThe wording is important. Travel bans are not legal. use caution with the declaration.
Is bicycling alone permitted?
Bob EdgartownIs bicycling alone permitted? Walking outside alone? Thanks.
Bob- keep your mental health
ChiliJ ChilmarkBob- keep your mental health up and exercise- just avoid people. Socialize over the phone or computer. If your on trails and you see people ( you will) give them an extra wide berth.
I suspect 70% of construction
Tisbury resident TisburyI suspect 70% of construction workers have no unemployment insurance or savings. End their work and they all end up in welfare lines catching the virus from evencloser contract. You need to think this out
There are no "welfare lines".
Kelce OBThere are no "welfare lines". What are you talking about?
Independent contractors
OB resident Oak BluffsIndependent contractors (assuming you’re on the books and not paid under the table), freelancers, and self-employed are now eligible for unemployment under the new stimulus. Also small businesses (under 500 employees) can and should apply for disaster relief loans through the SBA. The loan becomes forgivable when used to continue to pay employees, pay rent and utilities.
The officials are doing what
disugusted edgThe officials are doing what they have to. Its temporary inconvenience, but by being proactive the Island will hopefully avoid the situation of 'hot spots' such as NYC NJ WA and CA. These states enacted the 'stay-at-home' and business closures AFTER the spread and it will be a lot more difficult to contain it because of the delay, and spread to many more people.I am certain the '15 day' close down off-island will be extended. This action now will lead to a lot shorter inconvenience on the Island than if the place got infected and overwhelmed. I look forward to visiting my place on the island AFTER all of this is past tense. Right now, I am off-island in one of the 'hot spots'. I can tell you that isolating on MV now will prevent the spread of this virus. And hopefully a few weeks will do the trick instead of a few months. The leadership of these officials now will minimize the spread and impact on MV.
To those who are bashing
island girl islandTo those who are bashing officials for making tough of rational and informed decisions on what to close and the few businesses allowed to stay open: GET OVER IT! Town workers (absent some in emergency services) are not that well paid although a fair number (not all) do get benefits. Many folks involved in local politics and government get paid little or nothing and serve as public spirited citizens for the good of the island and ALL islanders. Folks in the construction industry: think how many workers arrive daily by Hy-Line, the SSA or even by plane from NB, etc. Yes, you may suffer financial consequences but sequestering and sheltering in YOUR place, not ours, could help preserve vital resources for those of us for whom the island is our only home. Will you suffer financially -- certainly, but so will most of us who live here (whether retired, old, young, seasonally employed, employed or unemployed) and most of us spend our lives scramblinsg to pay for life's necessities. Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay out of other people's orbit!
It’s hard to take this whole
Shelley Wilbur EdgartownIt’s hard to take this whole thing seriously when liquor stores are are considered “essential” and allowed to remain open. Riding stables where people have their beloved horses and where human to human contact is limited have been asked to shut down. AA/NA meetings are now being conducted remotely, if at all. But liquor stores get to go about their business. Hundreds if not thousands of people flooding the liquor stores everyday passing credit cards and cash back and forth with abandon. If this virus gets out of hand on Martha’s Vineyard, you can be darn sure that liquor stores will be ground zero for it’s transmission. What a sick joke…
Shelley, it is my
Chloe IslandShelley, it is my understanding that the reason liquor stores are staying open as essential businesses is because for people who are dependent on alcohol, a sudden, unintentional detox could send many people to the emergency room, and we're trying to keep our hospitals open for COVID-19 patients.
I know a person who recently
Concerned Islander in WT West TisburyI know a young person who recently had a break in sobriety. Attempting to self-detox, the physical withdrawals became unbearable and frightening causing a self-motivated trip to our MV Emergency Room for medical attention. It is my understanding, the ER Doctor treated the patient with hostility and disgust, and read the riot act for selfishly coming there for treatment during this tenuous time. On one hand, I can understand. The provider may be overwhelmed by the impending virus and culling out what she felt was significant and worthy of care. I can also understand frustration and Tough Love. However, on the other hand, this line of treatment may create a huge gap in necessary critical care for those who suffer from the Disease of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. I am concerned those suffering (and their affected families) may not seek or receive needed assistance during this already stressful period. The Liquor Stores are viewed as "Essential." This could be an attempt to flatten the curve from the impact that a large detox population could present. This is just a hard one to wrap my head around, and I'm in a State of Wonderment. Does this mean that Sobriety should be put on hold until April 12 or beyond? There has been incredible headway and great strides made on our Island to de-stigmatize and care for the Disease of Addiction. Bravo and thanks to all who contribute. The Vineyard is unique and great. Isn't there a way that both this Pandemic and Epidemic can be treated at the same time. Please, let's not go backwards.
Withdrawal from heavy alcohol
Yerp TisburyWithdrawal from heavy alcohol can result in life threatening medical emergencies. Some people are physically dependent on alcohol and if they don’t have access to it they could have seizures and wind up in emergency rooms and intensive care.
Thank you so much for
Rita EdgartownThank you so much for clarifying this. I’ll inform my family & we’ll stop laughing about the liquor stores being open. To the contrary, it’s pretty serious.
Making it mandatory to close
Wes Nagy West TisburyMaking it mandatory to close off all construction is short-sited by those in charge. On jobs it’s 1, 2 or three people working, and not in close proximity. Financially, the island is already hard-hit, forcing Construction to come to a complete standstill, is shortsighted, and hurts everyone on the island unnecessarily. A better choice would be voluntary reduction of workers on job sites that are employing a huge crew.
I agree. We support our
Rita EdgartownI agree. We support our restaurants by ordering take-out.
I’d like to be able to support a local painter, carpenter, or someone to clean out my garage & basement.
The person would work alone, exposed to no one.
The person wear gloves.
Any income for hourly workers w/o unemployment benefits is better than no income.
Wow-that’s really nice &
Naomi Vineyard HavenWow-that’s really nice & thoughtful of you. We should all keep those kind of jobs in mind. Thanks
This is one of the most short
island girl islandThis is one of the most short sighted comments (particularly from some one who used to associated with health care) that have appeared. If not one more house was built we still would have an enormous percentage of houses (50 % or more) which are empty (and heated) for the bulk of the year, yet not enough affordable housing. We don't need to build more houses for short term rentals and as third or fifth houses for the ultra wealthy....
"WE'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER
Donna Russell Rochester"WE'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT...." Until "Social Distancing" and "Stay at home" orders become our NATIONAL policy, this virus will continue to wreck havoc.
Excellent that the the
Gregory Palermo EdgartownExcellent that the the selectmen of all MV towns worked together on this. Their decisions were difficult and painful but were grounded on facts and reasonable concerns. An admirable exercise of leadership in a crisis.
Link only goes to order for
abc abcLink only goes to order for Chilmark residents..is there a separate one for OB?
The order has not been posted
EditorsThe order has not been posted yet in Oak Bluffs, but is the same.
Be careful if you are biking
Martha EdgartownBe careful if you are biking or hiking, or driving a car. ANY accident, even a twisted ankle, can land you in the hospital taking up valuable bed space from COVID 19 needy.
I am shocked to hear how
Concerned MVI am shocked to hear how upset people are about no construction. These our people’s lives we our talking about. Including possibly your own. We live on an island with one hospital, we are already lucky to have, with very limited beds and have currently only our winter staff. If people don’t take this seriously as a result our doctors and nurses will get sick which is very possible given they our exposed to a greater viral load in an acutely ill patient then a person with no symptoms. There our a very limit number of people who can care for very sick patients on this island and I don’t just mean covid-19 patients. I mean all serious patients i.e. heart attack, stoke, car accident, etc and no you will not go to Boston if they are full with covid-19 patients. You are risking a lot more then just Covid-19 upon our small island. If you don’t believe me ask any nurse or doctor who works there who I’m sure have taken care of numerous construction workers.
And yes closing liquid store would cause many people to go into alcohol dependency withdrawals, which can be deadly, requiring serious medical attention so by leaving them open you are preventing hospitals from being overwhelmed with just that alone.
Maybe this has already been
Suzy Zell ChilmarkMaybe this has already been asked, Post Office?
We postal workers are
Doug OBWe postal workers are considered "essential" so yes the mail must and will go through.
Under this order is it legal
Islander West TisburyUnder this order is it legal to go out shellfishing alone ? Want to be sure, can't afford a ticket .
You are procuring food,
Sara Piazza EdgartownYou are procuring food, probably more safely than going to the grocery store. If you're not allowed to do that, something is out of whack.
I go off island several times
Kelce Oak BluffsI go off island several times a week for day trips (well, not now). For those of you griping about construction shutdowns -- well, I say get a grip. Have you seen how many workers arrive via the SSA in the morning? Dozens and dozens walk off with their tools and boxes. And when I come back in the evening these same workers are leaving the island. This is a major problem and potential source of exposure. I agree to shut it all down.
As a seasonal resident having
Darren R. MVAs a seasonal resident having been on the island for the past few months working on my house, I am a bit disturbed by some islanders. Driving my car with NY plates I have been yelled at, given the finger and gestured to.
I understand local concern. I understand this is your only home. Seasonal residents are also residents and don’t deserve this treatment. I have not left my house except for meds and groceries. We ALL should work on being more accepting. Now is the time to come together, figuratively. This shelter in place order needs to be followed by everyone....if you are seasonal or local. Doesn’t matter. If we all do this, the hospital will not be overwhelmed. 98% of those out and about are islanders.
Also as a seasonal resident,
JIM OBAlso as a seasonal resident, we have encountered the same. We even drove our company car w/ NY plates. We even recived a note on our car telling us to leave....
Pretty ugly action from
Mark EdgartownPretty ugly action from whomever left you that note. Would like to believe that we all can pull together as one unified community, but unfortunately a select few have decided to act uncivilized.
Hi Darren- I'm sorry you've
Julian Wise West TisburyHi Darren- I'm sorry you've been treated this way- it sounds like fear and ignorance running amok. There are sensible reasons why people shouldn't be coming en mass to the island and these have been spelled out adequately by state and local leaders as well as health and emergency professionals. That said, it sounds like you got caught blindsided like the rest of the world and happened to be here in the middle of this crisis. Thank you for calling for unity and cooperation- a timely message.
I am so proud of our town
Pat Waring West TisburyI am so proud of our town officials doing everything in their power to protect our community. Thank you!!!
Although we should expect
New Tesident EdgartownAlthough we should expect swift action by elected leaders, they should be governing the citizens of this community in a manner that is equivalent to the threat. If you see a fly on the wall, you don't wack it with a sledge-hammer. You may kill the fly but the damage caused to the wall exceeds the cost of killing the fly. In some cases, the damage may be irreparable. To ban healthy people from engaging in their civic rights to protect people who are at risk of having an extreme reaction to COVID19 leads us to consider if our leaders are making rational decisions. Due dilligence mandates action. I applaud you all for just that. However, when an elected official (Brian Packish) says,“I’m not sure if what the governor did has any teeth," I pause to wonder why they believe violating citizens' Constitutional Rights is acceptable. In fact, does this mandate not violate several Constitutional rights? And, why isn't anyone asking these leaders why residents have the same healthcare quality that third-world or developing countries have. Is it the absurd cost of unaffordable housing that precludes quality healthcare professionals and facilities from setting up shop here? Also, why is it MV leadership hasn't already thought of this and why isn't there a disaster plan already in place? Although I can't say for certain, it probably has to do with the same reason there isn't a bridge connecting Edgartown and Chappy. When ate elections, again?
Nice job coming together and
PracticePeace VHNice job coming together and being pro-active, Island Selectmen & Selectwomen! I think if we (as an island) keep following the leadership of Governor Cuomo (NYC), Gov Baker and the WHO and CDC leaders, we may end up with a curve that doesn't spike quite as hard as some places have seen. But it takes a village! Our island is special because of our community. My family and I have been staying home, no visitors, since 3/13 and only 1 adult goes out every 4 or so days for groceries with gloves on and keeping lots of distance. We are doing this FOR our community, especially the at-risk populations. We will be financially hit, like everyone else, but our lives and your lives are just too important. If you've ever lost a loved one for a reason that was difficult to comprehend, maybe feeling like it was 'preventable', then you know the heaviness of this situation in your hearts and are probably doing your part. If you've been lucky to not live through that kind of pain, please try to put yourselves in others' shoes who are living with this kind of fear right now. Try every day to come up with some things to be grateful for- it helps! We are thankful for technological ways of staying connected; that it's not the dead of winter; for the necessary personnel on the frontlines of this and the volunteers helping other islandes! #stayhome please!
Thanks for your uplifting
Jane Norton ChilmarkThanks for your uplifting comment, PracticePeace!
I think we need to be careful
Adele EdgartownI think we need to be careful what we wish for. Many people may decide that owning property, renting property or day tripping to the Island is a bad idea if MV sounds like an unsafe place to be. I suggest instead of vilifying them we encourage our seasonal friends, neighbors and visitors to join us in keeping the island safe. By the way,thank goodness for construction workers. They are not the enemy.
Well said, Adele. Thank you
Rita EdgartownWell said, Adele. Thank you
Some narrow minded people
Islandgirl islandSome narrow minded people need to sit and think over the broader implications of restricting access to the island and to our finite resources because it is protecting all of us and it is NOT intended to be punitive. Looking at it that way is an error. I am so grateful to our island leaders making some possibly unpopular decisions to semi lock down the island. Thank you one and all! It was the truly responsible and rational thing to do. It helps to prevent the virus from proliferating and infecting new populations -- even if it is only until a vaccine and/or viable treatment is developed. That could be some months, or years, in the future.
If only the Trump Administration had acted decisively and with science backed wisdom..........
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