To The Editor:
I appreciate last week's Valley Reporter more than ever for showing us who we really are, people who care about each other, people who are optimistic and full of hope for the future as well as understanding and sharing the gravity of the situation brought on by COVID-19. If Dr. Fauci has taught us anything else, as well as all the valuable information about the behavior of the virus itself, it is that telling the truth is crucial. I am not a pessimist, but I am a realist who appreciates the value of emotional truth. There is a great deal of fear and anxiety everywhere in the world and despite our resilience and hope we are not immune. There is also anger, even rage, that nearly everyone's lives are being turned upside down by the stresses the virus is causing. We all want to be outside, to enjoy spring and to be free as we were. It is hard to put a brave face on our fear. But do not be ashamed of feeling it. Getting through this time we will surely do. If anyone is resilient it is us. But, in the meantime, talking about things that are hard to face does help. I am a psychoanalyst activist and am offering free telephone time. Please email me at
Chessie Stevenson
Waitsfield
