TESTING: Skeptical of the stats

First, I applaud Governor Little for all he has done. But with the discussion recently about the government’s culpability in not informing the public of the seriousness of COVID-19 early on, how can Kootenai County follow in their footsteps by not testing? Rather than posting erroneous numbers, our officials should at least be honest enough to say that they do not know what the numbers really are.

I searched for testing and was only able to find the message on the Panhandle Health website stating: “There are currently shortages of the tools to test (swabs) and the availability of labs to perform tests (only certain labs with certain capabilities/analyzers can perform the test).” It is very unfortunate that we have had several weeks more than New York to learn from them and get ahead of the curve, but instead we pretend that it isn’t going to happen here.

By not identifying carriers, we are all getting exposed exactly the same way New Yorkers did. I pray that in another couple of weeks the hospital doesn’t get a surge, but it seems inevitable.

Why, exactly, aren’t we testing? And if it isn’t the fault of our local authorities, why aren’t they at least telling people the truth — that they do not yet have the numbers. By posting low, inaccurate numbers, people will not be as vigilant.

CAROL KELLY

Coeur d’Alene