When we send our armed forces into battle – into harm's way – we try to equip them with everything we can to keep them safe. Why aren't we doing this for our healthcare workers who are on the front lines of the war against COVID 19?

This letter is written to my fellow Mainers who are still hesitant to get vaccinated or wear a mask.

Wouldn't you want your son or daughter to have the best firearms, flak vest, helmet and other protective gear if they were going into battle? Wouldn't you want them to have vaccinations to protect them from diseases on the field of battle? Yet 25% of Mainers who are eligible to get a COVID shot still have not done so.

Greater than 90% of patients hospitalized with COVID are unvaccinated, and they are putting healthcare workers at grave risk. 

"Harm's Way" is defined as "caused to be in a dangerous situation". That's working in a hospital in today's world.

Please, please think of these brave women and men who are caring for our loved ones and friends, and help them to be as safe as possible. Get your COVID shots and wear your mask. If not, you may end up in a hospital and your life may depend on those nurses, doctors and others who you put in harm's way. You can do something that will help ensure that they are there when you desperately need them.

Roy Hitchings is retired CEO of Pen Bay Healthcare and lives in Camden