A few thoughtful media articles have recently cited medieval tales and diaries on the 1664-1665 European bubonic plague pandemic, showing remarkable similarities in society’s behavior then to our current coronavirus pandemic, e.g., distancing, rumors galore, misinformation from governmental authorities and casting blame on the “other.” Daniel Defoe’s “A Journal of the Plague Year,” Samuel Pepys’s […]
Times Record
Pandemic a chance to re-evaluate U.S. correctional system
Each day we watch with appreciation and humility as healthcare workers and first responders bravely band together to protect all of us from the invisible threat that COVID-19 presents to our society and personal wellbeing. Sadly, there are also unsung heroes who do not make it on the evening news because their daily acts of […]
Guest column: Re-open to a new normal
Gov. Janet Mills has asked for input from the public on what course Maine should take in the current virus condition. Here is mine. Mainers, in their classic, stoic manner, have been troopers in their respect for the government-mandated requirements to stay at home, maintain “social distancing”, and observe the shut down of so-called non-essential […]
Guest column: Re-opening the economy?
Why do we permit President Trump and party affiliations to divert the attention of politicians and other leaders when they should be focused on strengthening their ability to manage the pandemic? We can’t afford it! Balancing health, economic and social interests to optimize the welfare of populations during the pandemic does not need to reflect […]
Letters: Grateful during pandemic; What was Trump thinking?
Thank you Thank you to the Postal Employees for being on the job everyday…. Thank you to the police men, fire men, and the EMT’S, on the road on call… Thank you Dr’s, and Nurses who calmly provide hospital care to those in need… Thank you to the Super Markets for cleaning, stocking, and providing take out […]
Douglas Rooks: Politics returns amid coronavirus
It was bound to happen. The month-long political calm that followed Gov. Janet Mills’s assumption of emergency powers wasn’t going to last forever. Still, the sight of demonstrators milling about the State House last Monday was disturbing – and not only because few were observing appropriate physical distancing. It was a chaotic, though peaceful, example […]
Guest column: Save our restaurants and suspend the 8% prepared food tax
In these trying times we should be doing everything we can to keep ourselves and our families healthy. We should also be fighting to keep our local businesses — especially our restaurants — open. With the restaurants that are still running being only able to offer curbside and delivery, employees are ultimately the most impacted […]
From the editor: Help support local journalism at a time when we need it most
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of every American on a scale not seen since World War II. The ramifications of this unprecedented challenge have struck the White House, the Blaine House and every city and town hall in between. Through it all, The Times Record is providing local coverage of how local government, […]
Freeport nonprofit receives $4K COVID-19 relief grant
Freeport Community Services has received a Greater Portland COVID-19 Community Relief Fund grant from United Way of Greater Portland to provide essential services to those in need as a result of the pandemic in Freeport and Pownal. “With funds from United Way at this time FCS expects to serve around 560 individuals,” said Freeport Community […]
Tom Purcell: Spouting off: How the EPA made it harder to mow my lawn
I used to enjoy mowing the lawn. Now it agitates the heck out of me. My agitation is the result of the gas-container safety spouts that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has mandated since 2009 – spouts that barely allow gas to come out. According to Jeffrey Tucker, editorial director at the American Institute of […]