A full year has passed since Maine recorded its first case of the coronavirus that has upended daily life here and across the globe, sparking a mad dash to curb the spread of COVID-19 and develop vaccines that are now being administered to thousands of Mainers each day.
With this anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, state officials are offering an optimistic message for the path ahead while urging residents to recommit to safety measures and reflect on a year that has wrought widespread hardship. This pandemic is hard, many people are tired and frustrated. I understand that. But we are turning the corner with courage, patience and compassion and good medical science on our side, Gov. Janet Mills said in a video message Friday. And it is because of you, the Maine people, because of your continued hope and perseverance, that we are winning this war against COVID-19.
January
Three teams from Spruce Mountain Middle School were recognized for their accomplishments at the Maine FIRST LEGO League Championship held in December at the Augusta Civic Center. Members of ‘Just the Incredible 6’ won the Global Innovation Award and finished 10th in the robotic performance portion of the competition. The team Silent Bot Deadly took 11th out of the 28 teams in the robotic performance while Space Savers, a team of sixth graders were recognized with the Core Values Gracious Professionalism Award.
More than three months after the explosion at the LEAP Inc. central office building in Farmington, Larry Lord’s condition was upgraded to fair. Lord received burns over more than half of his body in the explosion at the LEAP building where he was maintenance supervisor. He is credited with saving the lives of several LEAP co-workers after he got them out of the building moments before the explosion at Farmington Falls Road.
A lot happened in politics in 2020. Too much.
But despite the news’ fast pace, the year often felt like a long, terrible car ride to a destination unknown. Ignoring our pleas to hurry up, the driver slowly tugged us through a kaleidoscope of stupefying, horrible and extraordinary events.
Are we there yet? No.
To understand where we might be going, we need to remember where we’ve been.
January
The new year begins the way the old one ended.
President Donald Trump impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives in mid-December for asking the president of Ukraine to dig up dirt on Democratic challenger Joe Biden continues his pressure campaign to ensure he’s acquitted by Republicans in the U.S. Senate.