As I read Anthony Vitielo’s criticism of Albert Wisner Public Library’s being open during this time, I could not help think of the saying: “No good deed goes unpunished.”
To be sure, people are all over the place as to their concerns of the corona virus. Opinions run the gamut from those who think the virus doesn’t even exist to those who believe they will meet their demise if they inhale just one viral particle.
As usual the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Most people would agree that this is a real virus and that it is contagious, yet if one does their research it becomes clear that there are ways that increase your risk of contracting it and ways that the probability is so slight that it is way below any of the risks we take day to day, without thinking of them, such as crossing the street.
I am sure that the board of the Wisner Library made a well informed decision based on the latest science and consultation with professionals when they decided that they could safely reopen.
They have been open for several months, with absolutely no indication of clusters starting there.
Anyone who chooses to patronize the library now can see the many safety precautions in place, and also the sparse attendance making it easy to social distance many times the required six feet.
Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion as to which venues they feel safe in. In my opinion the library is a safe place for anyone to patronize.
But for those that feel they are at inordinately high risk or just otherwise very uneasy the answer is straightforward: Don’t go in there; peace of mind is everything.
For young families with children who desperately need a place to get out to, for those who do not have their own computers at home, those who are just grateful for a little bit of normalcy these days, the library’s being open is a godsend.
I don’t know how many people will write letters like this, but every person who enters the library and gets marked off as they come in is an attestation to the gratitude that we feel that you remain open.
I personally want to thank the entire staff, not for “risking your lives” to come in, as the over-dramatic saying goes these days, because that is just ridiculous, but rather for keeping level heads about this situation, acting with appropriate caution but not overblown fears, and acting independently rather than following any other libraries policy.
I thank you all for continuing to serve the Warwick community.
Julia Calderon
Warwick