To Whom It May Concern,

The purpose of this letter is to express my personal view as a citizen of the State of Illinois, as a Pediatric Registered Nurse and Long Term Health Care Facility Surveillance Nurse.

The topic of the shelter-in-place home order brings great debate. Guidelines, policies and procedures continue to evolve and change with the unchartered waters about which we are still learning so much. It is my opinion that it would be better to ask for understanding of what may turn out to be overly careful precautions rather than forgiveness for avoidable deaths and suffering from illness.

I have no children of my own, but I work with a medically fragile two-year-old boy as secondary employment. I apply my nursing knowledge and abide by the current PPE guidelines and standards of practice. What right do we have to not take those precautions and put our best foot forward in helping those who cannot help themselves?

We may see less sunshine, we may have more grey hair, we may miss our friends, and we may be tired of our own cooking…. At the end of the day, though, thank yourself for helping save someone’s life. Do your part. Do your best. Come together. Help local businesses. Love one another. Care for one another. Know better days are yet to come.

Sincerely,

Alicia Lowery