As the country faces one of the worst health care crisis of the past century, we at the Addison County Independent want you to know that we hear your concerns, your uncertainty, your desires to help others, and need to know how to stay safe and protect those around you. We’re heard you through stories we’ve written, letters to the editor, calls and in personal notes to us. 
We also want you to know we’re here for you, just as you have been here for us over the past 75 years.
We understand the importance of timely and trustworthy local news and want you to know we are resolute in our duty to continue providing you with the vital information you need to stay safe and protect your loved ones, as well as to tell the broader story of our community through this pandemic and after.
Today, our lives have been turned upside down. Schools and colleges are closed; parents are struggling to juggle work and home life; businesses are scrambling to protect their employees while safeguarding their very futures; and bars, restaurants, inns, theaters, fitness centers, salons, retailers, the building trades and independent contractors, and so many more, are in various states of closure and facing months of economic disruption and inevitable loss.
Through it all, our mission is continue to produce dependable and reliable journalism is at the core of what we do, and we’ll continue to do that to the best of our ability. At the heart of that pledge is also our role to connect citizens with their communities — and in this time of social distancing, and isolation for many, that may be more important than ever before. 
While our role is essential, we are not on the front lines of this crisis, and our thanks must first go to those putting themselves in harm’s way — the doctors and nurses at our hospitals, the first responders, and all the other members of the health care community. They risk exposure to the virus and their personal health for our well being. So, too, our thanks goes out to those essential businesses who are providing their services so the communities’ basic needs are met. 
Let’s also recognize that we can do more than offer thanks, by making sure we all do our part to protect ourselves and stay healthy. That starts by being informed with the latest news from the Vermont Department of Health, the CDC, and trusted health care professionals for the latest up-to-date advice on how to prevent getting the virus or spreading it. As the pandemic in Vermont and throughout the United States continues to gather pace, we’ll do our best at the Addison Independent to keep you abreast of that information. For your part, be informed: follow the CDC guidelines and adhere to Gov. Phil Scott’s “stay home, stay safe” mandates.
We recognize that for you, our readers, having a constant feed of reliable news and information that you trust is vital, and this is our commitment to you: whatever happens we will be there for you. This pledge goes beyond the newsroom, but also to those of us in advertising, circulation, customer service, the front office and delivery.
This pledge also extends beyond the Addison Independent. We join other newspapers throughout the country this week in sharing this message of togetherness. Whatever happens, whenever it happens, we’ll be here for you.
Angelo Lynn, editor/publisher