Recently, a few restless Michiganders have taken to the streets — sometimes brandishing assault rifles — to protest Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s shelter-in-place orders. Presque Isle Sheriff Joe Brewbaker agrees. Quoted in The Alpena News (April 25-26), he indicated that he will not enforce the governor’s directives if, in his opinion, they violate citizens’ constitutional rights.

Why did Gov. Whitmer take such bold action? America’s last pandemic provides an answer. In 1918, as U.S. forces fought in Europe, a flu virus sickened one-third of the earth’s population and killed 17 million to 50 million souls. Troops in battle proved easy pickings for this “bug.” If a soldier on the crowded front lines fell ill, he was taken by a crowded troop train to a crowded field hospital. There he usually died. Back home, 28% of Americans were infected and up to 850,000 perished.

In the wake of the 1918-20 pandemic, public health officials recognized that an out-of-control virus is like a wildfire. Crowding stokes the fire. Social distancing creates a firebreak and starves the virus of fuel, that is, of people. Until a vaccine is developed, this is the best way to reduce infection and save lives. A gaggle of noisy protesters cannot change that. Moreover, when our local hospital has only nine ICU beds, we do not need even a small infection surge.

COVID-19 poses unique economic, social, and spiritual challenges. Instead of a quirky “maybe-I-will-maybe-I-won’t” tactic, Sheriff Brewbaker ought to encourage Presque Isle citizens to safely support local businesses. The Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Department and other first responders, frontline medical workers, and those delivering essential food, retail, and government services deserve our gratitude and support. You’re the best of the best!

THE REV. JOHN E. LAYCOCK,

Presque Isle