I write in opposition to the Androscoggin County Commissioners’ proposed resolution to ignore the COVID-19 regulations. This is not solely an argument for public health, but for religious freedom and of personal heartache.

I am the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Livermore Falls. Since the onset of the pandemic, we have worked tirelessly to strictly follow all CDC guidelines. By doing so, we have not had one COVID-19 case in the church. By getting over this virus quickly, life — like regular church services — can return to normal.

The guidelines are not difficult to follow. However, I have seen the heartache that is caused by people ignoring the guidelines.

My mother is always in compliance with the COVID-19 regulations because of her work. However, somewhere, perhaps at the grocery store — she contracted COVID-19, because someone decided to ignore those guidelines.

My wife and I wondered if we would have to plan a funeral. Luckily, my mother recovered. However, half a million Americans were not so lucky.

If we truly want to care about the people of Androscoggin County, and the businesses therein, we must follow the CDC guidelines. Otherwise, we will keep fighting this virus even longer, which will cause more people to die and more businesses to close — and none of us want that.

I pray that the commissioners make the right decision and reject this resolution. They are our children’s role models — let’s hope they are good ones.

Pastor Forrest Genthner, Livermore Falls

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