Are you a patriot? A simple question but I wan you to pause and think. Are you doing your part in defeating COVID-19? My father was one of many Americans who answered the call to arms during World Wat II–a part of what Tom Brokaw called “the greatest generation”. My father was a combat infantryman and fought at the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. We were fighting Hitler and the Nazis, Mussolini in Italy and the the Empire of Japan. Had we lost our way of life would have ceased to exist as we know it. Our democracy would have been destroyed. We had to win and every American did his or her part. Farmers increased their food production and city dwellers planted small victory gardens in their yards. Every bit of food produced meant more for our armed forces. We rationed fuel and other items to make sure we had enough to supply our troops. We recycled everything that could be done; even razor blades so we could have more metal for the war effort. When our men went off to war women took their places in factories; remember “Rosie the Riveter”. Our president said that we are now in a new war against COVID-19 (even though he doesn’t act like it). Each of us MUST do our part. The sacrifice is small. Wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently and do not go places that are not necessary. Do not congregate with large groups. We are not doing this and we have not got the virus under control and now our death toll nears 200,000 and we lead the world in cases. It didn’t have to be this way. Brazil lead by a Trump wanna-be is second with cases and India with its huge population with many living in poverty is third. Our economy is in shambles and we are in danger of being bypassed by China. China has the virus under control and the rest of the world is back to basically normal with their economy humming along and schools in session. South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Europe have it under control. But we are not because we are being selfish about what the doctors tell us to do. Putin is gleeful and we are in danger of an economic depression. If we do not do what is necessary to save our nation China will replace us as the dominant economy. We cannot go on this way. It is a simple thing to do; wear a mask, practice social distancing, was hands frequently and avoid large groups of 10 or more people. You know what to do; so do it and together we can defeat this enemy. Be a patriot.