I want to say THANK YOU to all of my fellow reasonable and brave free-thinkers. Since the beginning of the COVID scare I’ve felt alone. I choose to live my life in love and rationality, not fear, and so it has been difficult for me to watch as the leaders of our country and around the world have decimated our economies, school systems, individual liberties and sense of security over a virus.

For those of you who have ever had the “common” cold, that is a virus. It is a “bug” that ordinarily enters our mucus membranes via the nose, eyes, mouth. It ordinarily spreads by being in close proximity to someone who is exhibiting symptoms and then they share their bodily fluids with you via coughing or sneezing or you touch something they have touched and, failing to wash your hands, you then infect yourself via touching your eyes, mouth, or nose. That, in a simple description is a virus.

The COVID virus is no different. It is just a more severe strain. COVID is either (a) a new creation of mother nature; or (b) a man-made virus developed for germ warfare. (a) It is not unusual for mother nature to develop super bugs or super viruses. We see how the over prescription of antibiotics is causing the creation of super bugs which cannot be treated with traditional antibiotics. Super viruses can also develop. (b) If it is germ warfare, I truly hope I get the virus because that will set me up for success against any future viruses which, I can assure you, will be deadlier.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of people who are dying from the COVID virus are those of advanced age or who have fallen victim to some kind of a chronic illness thus far held at bay by today’s advances in medicine. Any ordinary and healthy individual should easily weather the storm of this new virus – especially our children. A brochure by Public Health Seattle King County states exactly this – the general population is at low risk.

I will not be wearing a mask in the stores, nor in general public. I will not wear gloves (according to a head nurse at one of the local hospitals “gloves are significantly worse than bare hands because of cross-contamination”), nor will I practice “social distancing” – although I will be respectful of someone’s personal space as I always have and will be. I am a healthy individual who has a strong immune system. If I interact with someone who has not eaten nutritionally excellent foods or properly taken care of their health that is their personal responsibility.

If you have a compromised immune system, practice the same standards you would during a regular cold and flu season. If you are older and are afraid the virus may bring your time to pass on sooner than you would like, then stay home. But let the rest of us live our lives – and please do not spread your fear and insecurities onto me.

To Mayor Hayes and other leaders: GET OUR BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS OPEN – without fear.

If the La Conner Weekly News actually prints this I will be absolutely shocked based on its willingness to spread the fear instilled on our citizens by the government and media with little input from the rational and reasonable side like Sandy Stokes.

Renae Paisley is an entrepreneur in La Conner who seeks to share love, truth and gratitude in these unprecedented times.