Helen McCauslin writes, “Our newspapers are filled these days with the news of the surge in Coronavirus cases requiring hospitalizations in local Michigan institutions. Three Rivers Health, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, and pharmacies are working daily to test and vaccinate against this evolving virus. Just a little over 100 years ago we faced a similar challenge in the Flu Epidemic of 1918. How prepared were we to care for the sick then?”

“Doctors and nurses are dying at an alarming rate. They have a choice, naturally, to either resign their posts or show up and fight, but the nature of the business makes it abundantly clear most will choose to fight. Choose to die. Choose to sacrifice their hopes and dreams and hobbies, their retirements and vacations and their children’s affection for the public good. It’d be great to believe this is all overblown, but we know better.”