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Letter to the Editor - Woo hoo health care workers and social distancers

Editor,

Much like a virus, disinformation requires a host to survive and, disappointingly, on June 17, 2020, the Havre Daily News printed an opinion piece replete with Oval Office-approved talking points — e.g. draconian, unconstitutional, “COVID pandemic,” etc. Per Johns Hopkins University, as of June 21, there were 8,842,537 confirmed coronavirus cases and 465,462 coronavirus deaths worldwide. There being just one confirmed case in Hill County is no reason to print drivel. Over the past week, coronavirus cases have increased in 23 states and 10 states just reported their highest seven-day average of new coronavirus cases (jhu.edu) with percentage increases correlating to community spread not simply an increase in testing (med.upenn.edu). Alternative facts and personal opinions are not facts. Coronavirus (still) requires our full attention.

The 10th Amendment explicitly provides governors with the constitutional authority to “ensure their state is adequately prepared for emergencies and disasters of all types and sizes” (nga.org). According to the Brookings Institution, “No federal statute gives the president the authority to override state decisions” (brookings.edu). The decisions of governors to lockdown states nationwide was the only responsible way to “help all people and not just a few” which is exactly what the “Woo hoo …” author was advocating for.  

Comparing coronavirus to smoking tobacco is illogical. Coronavirus is spread from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks (cdc.gov). Conversely, we can rather easily identify smokers. If we do not want to be around the smoke, oftentimes, we can walk away. Without personal diligence, increased testing capabilities, contact tracing and a vaccine provided free-of-charge, we cannot choose to walk away from coronavirus because many individuals who are presymptomatic or asymptomatic may be able to transmit the virus.

The Hill County Health Department and the providers and staff of Northern Montana Hospital, surrounding hospitals and community health centers who have been treating and educating their communities are the individuals who should be celebrated, not a bar owner who apparently defied executive orders and national guidelines during a global pandemic. Ignorance is not an acceptable response to the death of 117,717 American citizens (jhu.edu). We can help our communities by maintaining social distancing, wearing a face covering when social distancing is not possible, and hand washing frequently.

Ty Hedalen

Billings

 

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