As the United States faces the worst public health crisis in a generation, we want you to know we are here for you — and with you.   

Whatever happens, whenever it happens, your newspaper will be there for you.   

Your newspaper will be there to let you know how our community is managing through this crisis — from business to government to the health care system and schools to the drastic impact on individuals and families.  

And we’ll be there to let you know about the good and extraordinary things happening in the midst of this crisis — the citizens sewing masks for health workers, the city and nonprofit workers attending to the homeless community, the volunteers bringing food to elderly people who cannot leave their homes, the health workers putting themselves in harm’s way to care for the sick. 

Amidst the sadness and anxiety, there are uplifting moments that remind us of the resilience of the human spirit, and we’ll be there to document those too. 

Governor Laura Kelly said COVID-19 has created an unprecedented health and economic crisis in our state. 

“We need all Kansans working together to beat this pandemic,” Governor Kelly said. “It’s necessary to have clarity when emergencies strike, and access to swift, accurate information the press provides. We wholeheartedly support press efforts to keep every Kansan informed.” 

We are here to help you make sense of the situation and to help you navigate it.

Having fact-based, reliable reporting that provides public scrutiny and oversight is more important than ever. Together, across the decades, this newspaper and its readers have navigated horrific events — natural disasters, terrorism, financial downturns, periods of extreme political and societal division. 

Sometimes we forget the importance of local businesses, including your community newspaper. It is vital to support local organizations by buying local goods and services, by buying advertising and subscriptions. Order by phone, online or get gift certificates. Local businesses keep products and services available locally, keeps our economy strong, provides jobs to our friends and neighbors, lowers taxes and improves our standard of living.

This challenge is greater than any of those, but, rest assured, we’ll be here for you. Our community is a resilient and we will come through this, too. 

Mary Hoisington on behalf of your community newspaper.

Mary Hoisington is the publisher of the Great Bend Tribune.