Video – courtesy ABC News
A Northeast Kansas farmer made headlines Friday when his letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was read during the governor’s daily news conference on the latest coronavirus statistics.
“Enclosed, find a solitary N95 mask left over from my farming days. It has never been used. If you could, would you please give this mask to a nurse or doctor in your state,” Cuomo said as he read from the letter.
The letter signed only “Dennis and Sharon” was written by a retired farmer hunkered down with his diabetic wife, both in their 70s. The wife has one lung and occasional breathing problems with the remaining lung. Cuomo called it a snapshot of humanity.
“You have five masks, what do you do? Do you keep all five? Do you hide the five masks, keep them for yourselves or others? No,” he said. “You send one mask to New York to help a nurse or a doctor. How beautiful is that?”
The full copy and printed text of the letter is below.
KMAN has learned that the couple resides on a farm near Troy in Doniphan County.
Dear Mr. Cuomo,
I seriously doubt that you will ever read this letter as I know you are busy beyond belief with a disaster that has befallen our country. We are a nation in crisis, of that there is no doubt.
I’m a retired farmer hunkered down in northeast Kansas with my wife who has but one lung and occasional problems with her remaining lung. She also has diabetes. We are in our seventies now and frankly I am afraid for her.
Enclosed, find a solitary N95 masks, left over from my farming days. It has never been used. If you could would you please give this mask to a nurse or doctor in your state. I have kept four masks for my immediate family. Please keep on doing what you do so well. Which is to lead.
Sincerely, Dennis and Sharon.
