Christine Palm

It has come to my attention that some local businesses in the towns I represent may not be abiding by the closure rule, allowing patrons to gather in public against the advice of health experts and against the direct authority of the government. Putting your own desires before the wider community good is not an expression of your freedom or your rights as an American, as I have read on Facebook as justification for these violations. Rather, it is an illegal act that disrespects the rights of others and possibly puts them at risk.

Please know that Executive Orders, while a far from perfect form of governing, are, in fact, the law in times of state emergency.

The May 20 partial re-opening as laid out by the Governor is just that: a partial, staged and incremental re-opening. By their very nature, bars, gyms and certain other businesses are crowded places where social distancing is virtually impossible, and for that reason, will be allowed to open toward the end of the phased re-opening.

I understand that small businesses are under extreme duress right now. We are all eager to be back in the world supporting them, working, socializing, and visiting with friends. But for now, physical distancing measures are still our best defense against the virus. And controlling the infection rate will require continued cooperation from everyone.

As of this writing (May 6) there are 87 confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases in our towns (Chester: 41; Deep River: 8; Essex: 16; and Haddam: 22). We have suffered the heartbreaking loss of at least a dozen residents, and no doubt those numbers will rise.

It is my responsibility to do all I can to work with my colleagues in State government, with town officials and local health authorities to protect the community. To that end, please know that I am working with our selectmen and regional health districts to make sure this ill-advised behavior ends.

While I am fully prepared to disappoint the few who seem to have decided their own desires are more important than their neighbors’ well-being, I appeal to your common sense and decency: please think beyond what you want and consider what the community needs.