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COVID: We need to face this together

1 min read

Americans have always volunteered in times of need. We have donated our time, money and strength to do whatever we could to help one another.

During past times of war Americans would roll bandages, make cookies and save scraps of metal or rubber all in the name of patriotism. Americans have always stood up when called upon and worked together, for each other. Until now.

This is why I have such a hard time understanding why a recently elected Representative of Minnesota, Erik Mortensen of District 55A Shakopee, would write a letter to Governor Waltz and Attorney General Keith Ellison inviting them, as well as a number of his constituents, to a backyard party.  

Don’t misunderstand me. I understand his exhaustion around COVID and the rules that Governor Waltz put out. We all feel this way. I am sure that even Governor Waltz didn’t want to reestablish the COVID rules.  

What I don’t understand is why Representative Mortensen would do this to the fellow Minnesotans that he represents and says he wants the best for us. Why would he intentionally expose these people to a disease that could kill them?

Why would he overburden the doctors, nurses, CNA’s, food service workers, and maintenance workers that are risking their lives helping keep those people who already have this virus alive? Why isn’t he helping the healthcare professionals instead of making things harder for all of us? 

Isn’t it bad enough that there are NO MORE HOSPITAL BEDS!! Soon our communities and other states are going to have to look into making temporary COVID-19 hospitals or alternative places for people who need emergency assistance.

We are at war with this virus. This is a virus, a disease, that can be transmitted by your saliva and breath that has little bits of wetness. These droplets that carry the disease are as good as a bullet to someone’s heart or brain.

Why are we not coming together doing whatever we can? Things like wearing A MASK to save another? Perhaps soon we will need to put on PPE equipment and head into COVID units to help those healthcare professionals since there will not be enough of these wonderful professionals left to help the sick; if we don’t pull together and do our patriotic duty – just as Americans before us have always done.


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Zack Benz

Zack Benz has been a fan of the Daily Planet since he was eight years old. The Daily Planet has always been a beacon of hope for him and it’s his life’s mission to make it shine in a similar light to so many around the world. Zack graduated with a degree in journalism and art from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2019.

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