I am not sure how we got here. There have been so many times in my life where I have thought to myself, “I never thought I would see this in my lifetime!” MANY TIMES. This is one of those times.

I am not sure why it surprises me anymore, but here we are again. I am a Wisconsinite and I am ashamed of what we have become. A state of wishy washy divided people who cannot come together for the sake of safety and health.

I have heard many talk about their “livelihood” and “affording to live.” Think about that for a second. Both of those statements have a version of the word “life.” I’m not sure if you are understanding what that means. Life, if you don’t have that, you don’t have to worry about the affordability.

I do understand that people have worked hard to get where they are, and they need to make money to survive, but first and foremost, you need life. Now that the stay-at-home order has been overturned, even though many of us were making do, making the new normal work, there are those select few that have decided to rip the band-aid off without thought of what that might do to our communities as a whole. I understand where you are coming from, but it is careless and selfish to not consider all involved and try to be cautious.

I also understand that we, as humans, need personal contact, touch, face-to-face. People are chomping at the bit to see each other, to interact, to gather, but none of this can happen if you no longer have life. We as humans need life first.

Please, I beg you, look at the guidelines and take precautions. Open your doors. Go ahead, but please, please, please do it with your community in mind. I’ve heard so many times, “we are all in this together.” To the people who immediately swung the doors open without even considering what it means to everyone, please reconsider how your open business looks. Are you taking precautions? Are you being safe? What will it do to your business, your community if you are not?

It should not look like it used to. It should be open, but different. There are regulations that should be followed or we will be in a world of hurt in a few short months. Life will be at stake, your business will close because believe or not, someone you know, you love, will be six feet under, and it will be your fault. Then do you think people will frequent your establishment? Think about how that will pan out? What will the monetary repercussions be then? Please, truly, think about it.

I am not here to pass judgment or play the blame game. I am here to ask politely. Can you please take some time to do a little research and open with your community in mind? Even though Wisconsin can’t seem to come together as a governing body, we as people, can.

Please think about what is best for us, your patrons, your customers, your community and ultimately you. Thank you.