VIRUS: Your help is needed

I am a retired nurse practitioner and public health nurse, so I have considerable knowledge about how viruses and bacteria are spread. The coronavirus represents the most serious public health crisis of our generation and is a deadly enemy.

At this point, the only way we can decrease transmission between people is to social distance, wash hands and wear masks. Wearing a mask primarily protects whoever we come in contact with, but also would decrease the amount of virus inhaled if contact is made with an infected person. Not wearing a mask is like swinging a baseball bat in a crowded room.

Right now we have uncontrolled community spread with a record number of people in the hospital. Our hospital is struggling and the staff is weary. The best way we can help is to socially distance, wash hands and wear masks. There isn’t anything political about this. The right to life supersedes any other personal rights.

SUSAN DUMMER

Coeur d’Alene