MASKS: Governor is right

Gov. Little recently held a press conference on COVID and asked residents to consider current trends and how these may impact any one of us or our loved ones.

Amelia, a young adult with COVID, related her experience. She contracted the disease mid-2020 while pregnant. During her time in the ICU, she could have no visitors. She fought for her life and gave birth during this time! She told of being delirious and having horrid hallucinations.

Now, months later, she still needs to be hooked to an oxygen tank. She strongly counseled young and old alike to take this virus very seriously.

Next up was Rachel, a respiratory therapist for 18 years, who treated Amelia and numerous others in 2020. She said hospitals are trending toward being maxed out. Each ICU patient requires extensive personal care. Health care workers are battling fatigue and burnout.

Meanwhile medical personnel from nearby states have asked permission to bring some of their patients to Idaho hospitals.

Rachel asks Idaho residents to think about what it would be like if a loved one couldn’t walk, couldn’t work, or possibly couldn’t find needed ICU space. As a respiratory therapist who knows COVID impacts very well, she considers a person using no mask when around others to be a sign of disrespect. She said I want to protect you and want you to protect me. Rachel has observed fewer COVID patients coming from regions that endorse the use of masks more routinely.

Mask use and social distancing need not be political. For example, I am a staunch conservative who recognizes that the days just prior to symptoms showing up can be the time when the virus spreads the most. I take steps to protect you and you can do likewise for me. All to benefit our neighbors in Idaho.

ROD SCHOBERT

Hayden