VISITORS: Stats suggest safety

Would the folks from states whose health officials wear clown outfits while announcing COVID-19 deaths — states that allow rioters to overrun major cities, burning and looting businesses, and maiming and murdering innocents, and then give the same get-out-of-jail-free cards — kindly butt out of our business. For people to suggest they feel unsafe visiting here is absurd on its face.

Open-source research of Idaho state records, as of several weeks ago, revealed that 70% of the Kootenai County COVID-19 deaths were from residents of long-term care facilities, as were 67% of Shoshone County deaths, as were 100% of the (2) deaths in Bonner County. These findings are right in line with what has been found across the country, namely, that frail old people — particularly those in facilities — are the most susceptible to succumbing to the disease. Imagine that! Not churches, restaurants, bars, hair salons, shopping malls or theaters, but long-term care facilities.

Unfortunately, we aren’t told what comorbidities may have contributed to the deaths of the remaining victims. Otherwise, the public fear factor might be greatly reduced. Perhaps this will help. My 91-year-old father, whose diet consists largely of ice cream and Hershey bars, tested positive for COVID-19 and fully recovered in two weeks — with no medication whatsoever.

Fun fact: Fear reduces one’s immunity to disease and makes one immune to facts.

NORMA WHITE

Athol