Editor’s note: The San Juan Island Visitors Bureau announced on July 6 it was suspending its advertising campaigns.

I just don’t understand. Advice to us islanders who live here full time is – don’t go off-island except for essential doctor visits – don’t go off to shop – don’t expose yourself to people who live off-island.

Why is our Visitors Bureau actively advertising “Come to the San Juan Islands” as my Seattle daughter just informed me? The people we are to avoid are being encouraged to come here. I understand economic needs, but do we need to solicit hordes to visit?

Our grocery store is challenged just serving us islanders. Our parks and towns are super busy with tourists. The end result is we are in perpetual self-quarantine avoiding masses of tourists using our groceries, our parks, our islands.

Peggy Elston

Orcas Island