Please, set aside politics and rise to the occasion. No one can argue that COVID-19 has negatively affected our lives.

Although these effects vary drastically, they are all invoked by the same issue. Opinions are more polarized than ever, making it nearly impossible to ignore differences. Regardless of individually held beliefs, we certainly share common goals of humanity, such as collective survival, happiness, and the need to feel secure. Until focus shifts toward these commonalities there remains no end in sight and COVID-19 will continue to wreak havoc on our lives.

Working in healthcare is my passion. Nevertheless, going to work has become a daily struggle. Individuals become increasingly angry the longer the pandemic drags on. Each day I return to work in a primary care clinic after reminding myself that patients have a fundamental right to outpatient management of chronic health conditions. I remember that keeping them out of the emergency room is more critical than ever, so there is room for someone who needs it more.

Especially when space is limited at our rural hospital. I keep showing up because my duty in this pandemic is to care for others because they are human, regardless of the differences in opinion I may share with them.

The way out of this is together. Remind yourself of whatever provides strength to look past our differences. Now is not the time to further divide. To rise above this crisis, we need to stand together, united as a community and as humankind.

We need to ask ourselves what we can do that will provide cause to the greater good. It is time to unify in finding solutions as many Americans before us have in difficult times.

Kaitlan Cosolito
PORT HADLOCK