THE READERS ROAR
*TODAY: Coeur d'Alene City Council will consider a mask mandate.
I just don’t know where to start about masks and why so many people aren’t wearing them.
We just returned from our honeymoon in Sequim, WA. What a breath of fresh air. Everyone wore masks. I mean everyone! There were masks on hiking trails and all restaurants. The town of Sequim is half the size of Post Falls. They have had 200 cases and one death.
We tried to volunteer for poll workers at the Kootenai County election office. We walked in and were amazed to see only 25% of the trainees in masks. We asked a woman in charge and she said she is not the mask police. We left. The election office appears to be a hot spot now with an official flying in from Boise to help.
How embarrassing to hear Rachel Maddow talk about our situation on the evening news. What a sorry state of affairs our officials have put us in.
VICTORIA McCARTHY
Unbelievable. On a day that:
(1) New covid cases are exploding in Kootenai County and environs.
(2) Deaths in Kootenai County hit four dozen.
(3) Kootenai Health says it has hit maximum capacity to care for our neighbors.
(4) The school districts in Kootenai and Boundary counties go from Orange to Red.
(5) And then we learn that nationwide cases hit a new daily pandemic record of more than 80,000 — that's 2.5 million a month, or 30 million a year — and that Idaho is the fifth-worst state per capita in new cases.
That's the day that we read in The Press that the Panhandle Health District has canceled the mandatory mask mandate. That 4-3 vote came right after testimony that there were three news deaths "just in the last hour."
One PHD board member was quoted as saying that he doesn't believe there is a coronavirus outbreak and that doctors should focus on what's making us all sick.
Unbelievable.
JOHN STROBEL
Athol
I cannot figure out why people are so upset with them making the mask mandate it a recommendation. Most people didn’t comply anyways, including my family and I.
This is like a bandaid on a four years tiny scratch, it does absolutely nothing but it makes them feel better, because it’s something visual.
Even if CdA does a mandate, my family and I will still not comply.
TREVOR FARMER
“I personally do not care whether anybody wears a mask or not. If they want to be dumb enough and walk around out there and expose themselves and others to this… they can just do it,” said Walt Kirby, a board member with Panhandle Health.
Nice to know at a certain point in life you can once again become as a child and say whatever you want with little consequence or reprimand. Calling someone dumb because they don't necessarily agree with what you believe. God forbid, in the USA, the "Land of the Free" a person these days stands up for something that is perceived as outside the world's box and not fall in line like a sheep.
Please let Walt know that I have little respect or care for the opinions of such a narrow minded person. Another case of a man who assumes because he carries a perceived title and seat of some importance, in his mind particularly, they have the right to call people dumb.
His overwhelming life experience must have given him a curious power to perceive the education and knowledge of a man simply by looking at their unmasked face! Come to think of it that's actually a really crappy super power, all it takes is a mask to thwart his power of perception, cause we all know only smart people wear masks!
But what do I know, I'm just an idiot, excuse me, dummy, walking around without a mask.
Biting my tongue thus far so I appear less a dummy than Mr. Walt Kirby.
GABE 'THE DUMMY' KIRBY
The broad data shows locking down doesn’t help countries / states.
Mortality by age shows kids should be in school, and seniors need to be careful.
JAMES HERSEY
Coeur d'Alene
What is wrong with Panhandle Health and law enforcement for lifting/refusing to prosecute those who think their rights to not mask up, is taking away their rights? Those folks are threatening MY life? So, what about my right to live?
It's bad enough that school kids are bringing COVID home to their parents and grandparents, because the schools don't take our right to not die seriously.
Healthcare groups, like Panhandle Health, should be supporting mask-wearing, not lifting the mandate. Just wait until one of them gets sick and has to be sent out of state to be treated, or God forbid, have a heart attack or serious accident, or when someone they love dies from covid, maybe then they'll wake up and smell the coffee.
Mask wearing is the least we can do to help stop this nightmare we're all living in.
BARB CRUMPACKER
Coeur d'Alene
Idaho has become the laughing stock of the country with this illogical rescinding of the mask mandate. To quote an old Star Trek episode, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”
The 10th amendment is very clear: "Under the U.S. Constitution’s 10th Amendment and U.S. Supreme Court decisions over nearly 200 years, state governments have the primary authority to control the spread of dangerous diseases within their jurisdictions. The 10th Amendment, which gives states all powers not specifically given to the federal government, allows them the authority to take public health emergency actions, such as setting quarantines and business restrictions." American Bar Association
It's like banning cigarette smoking for public health and safety reasons. It took years for that to get where it is now. We simply do not have years.
SHIRLEE GRABKO
Coeur d'Alene
Members of the PHD Board,
I sincerely regret and wish to state my opposition to the vote to change the status of mask-wearing from mandatory to a recommendation at this time.
My reasons are simple. Case numbers are rising in Kootenai County. Mask wearing has been shown by several studies to provide protection from the spread of the virus and we don't have much else at this time.
You would not “recommend” that a person not walk around firing a firearm in public. The virus can also be just as deadly as a bullet and you never know if the person you meet is infected with it or not. There is less ability to determine the infected/not infected condition than there is in the case of an armed individual.
Two statements attributed to board members that I read in the paper were especially appalling to me. One was Walt Kirby – “It’s about over. People are dying, they’re going to keep dying, they’re going to keep catching this stuff, and they’re going to keep giving it to one another …” I think that is why you are there Mr. Kirby, to help keep people from dying. And this is far from being over.
The other was where Allen Banks questioned even the existence of COVID-19. The CDC website lists (as of 10/24/20) 223,393 deaths and 8,469,976 cases. Mr. Banks, something is happening. It does not matter what you call it but what you do about it.
I fear that this is what happens when the responsibility for a nationwide pandemic is effectively passed down to decision-making at local levels. There is no uniformity of response, no sense of “we are all in this together,” and there will be voices that argue against any requirement they deem to infringe on “their freedom” with local government being easier to attack.
The lack of a national approach to this at the beginning of the year has squandered the will of many to participate in the well-being of all. A bad example was set at the beginning.
Can you set a better example now?
ERNEST M. WARNER
Coeur d'Alene
Rescinding the mask mandate was hypocritical considering that Kootenai County is now in the critical red level. It is scientifically proven that masks help in a great way to curb COVID. If the majority of people are wearing masks, they are protecting each other.
I am sure that you realize that removing the mask mandate can harm health care workers and those who provide essential services, overloads hospitals, and endangers those people who are medically at risk from this pandemic.
This should not be a politically based decision. Wearing masks is not an infringement of rights; it is one way of protecting our fellow human beings.
As one of the commandments says “love your neighbor as yourself”, we must be caring and respectful and take care of each other. How hard is it to wear a piece of fabric on your face?
DIANA DAY
How appalling that our Board of Health should vote to rescind the mask mandate when Idaho’s number of COVID- 19 cases are rising. It is beyond irresponsible to put the lives of all of us at an unnecessary risk when a simple mask can save lives. Unbelievable!
Thank you for the opportunity to voice my dismay.
DORIS LANTZ
Coeur d'Alene
To the four board members who overrode the mandate. Mandate Masks! Your actions rescinding the mandate especially during this COVID spike is criminal. What kind of public health are you interested in protecting? Cowards.
MARY LOU BANKS
I'm disappointed and appalled at the Panhandle Health District board’s shortsighted decision to rescind the mask mandate on the same date Kootenai Health reports they're approaching full capacity.
Yes, it is hard to enforce a mask mandate. It is always hard to do the right thing, especially when influential people at the top, and on down, are anti-science and not willing to make any effort to stop this horrendous pandemic. The United States of America used to consider ourselves the greatest country in the world, yet we are too weak to wear masks?
As parents we have all spent years trying to teach our children how to do the right thing, even in the face of opposition. Yet, when America is facing its greatest crisis in decades we fold because it's too much work, and we just don't want to do it?
It is now vitally important that we reinstate the mask mandate, and follow the simple common sense precaution advised by health professionals. We all need to demonstrate to our children what it means to stand up and do the right thing, even if it is difficult.
JANICE ABEL
Athol
How can we ever take this organization seriously again?
What part of the word “health” do they not understand?
ROB RUTHERFORD
At this juncture, a mask mandate seems the wrong question to ask. Collectively, we have failed to wear them and we have failed to control the coronavirus. Our community spread rates are as high as anywhere in the country and growing. Our only hospital is at capacity and could soon be overwhelmed.
Perhaps the right question now is whether we can realistically avoid far more draconian but necessary mandates.
We were told from the beginning that Idaho would only progress beyond Phase 2 when we could demonstrate that we can do so safely. We have failed miserably, in large part by our unwillingness to social distance, wear masks, and avoid crowds.
Without some individual sacrifice and change, local government will soon need to decide when to again invoke Phase 2 restrictions.
JON INGALLS
Coeur d’Alene
This message is directed to PHD board members (Banks, Bailey, Fitzgerald, and Kirby) and Cd'A city council members who do not have the courage to stand up face-to-face to those who believe it is their “right” to enter “my 6-foot safety zone” without a mask. My rights are just as valid and must be equally protected.
As board members of the PHD and elected government officials, it should be your primary responsibility to work proactively with the counties, cities, school districts, and ID state government to establish enforceable mask requirements that protect all citizens and visitors. Nobody said it would be easy.
COVID-19 is a deadly, serious virus. People are dying daily at an increasing rate.
It’s time you stand tall, do the job we expect you to do: Be smart, do your part, require others to wear a mask, keep your distance and we will all be better off and get back to living the life we have chosen to live in Idaho.
JJ LAMBO
Post Falls
An open letter to the Board of the Panhandle Health District:
A hearty thank you for revoking the mask mandate and restoring liberty in Kootenai County. In this age of irrationality and calls for socialism, the board has upheld statutory law passed by the legislature and the cause of liberty.
I understand that the board is receiving many calls to re-instate the mask mandate. If you want to wear a mask, do so. But do not abridge the liberty of others to make their own choices. Idaho is a land of liberty. Idahoans are adults, able to make their own choices about their health. It is not your place, or the place of the unelected, appointed board of Panhandle Health District to do so for us. Rather, inform but do not mandate.
I understand that the argument is about health. But if the district can mandate masks, why not mandate other ‘healthy’ things like banning soft drinks, ice cream or other ‘unhealthy’ foods or requiring regular prescribed exercise, eating a meatless diet, or some other ‘healthy’ activity? Fines and jail time could be threatened for non-compliance.
These sorts of mandates forced on the people of Idaho are simply the seeds to a dictatorial society. Idaho is a land of liberty. Liberty is the balance of individual freedom and responsibility. It works well, especially in crisis. That’s what makes our American culture unique.
PAUL KRESSIN
Blanchard
As the number of COVID-19 cases rose steadily, our health board narrowly passed a mask mandate. The number of us wearing masks rose quickly, and the number of cases declined dramatically.
With this partial success, the calls for ending the mandate rose as did the number of large gatherings, particularly over the Labor Day holiday, along with general carelessness. And now with the highest number of cases and hospitalizations ever, we have repealed the mandate, rather than seeing community leaders double down on encouraging mask use in all areas.
Our test positivity rate is off of the charts. The result will be severe with prolonged paralysis of our economy and education. As a pediatrician, grandfather and voter, I say, "Wake up North Idaho." Forget ideology and do what works to keep us safe and revive our economy. Wear a Mask in public.
THOMAS RAU
Coeur d'Alene
To put it briefly though bluntly, I think it was extremely stupid to rescind the mask mandate when the cases of COVID-19 are rising. I would like to know the rationale supporting the decision.
LYNN TAYLOR
I read with interest and concern the informative article by Craig Northrup, "Panhandle Health District" regarding Commissioners Bailey, Banks, Fitzgerald and Kirby voting to rescind its mask mandate in a critical 4-3 decision.
I'm a retired detective with 27 years of service. Too often I was in the emergency room with victims or perpetrators as nurses and doctors worked frantically to save a life. For these commissioners to blatantly add to their demands while discarding those dying from COVID-19 is far beyond acceptance.
TOM MORRISSEY, JR.
I am writing this letter out of deep frustration and actual humiliation. It is almost unbelievable that Panhandle Health Dist. rescinded the mask mandate at a time of an unprecedented pandemic, due to political pressure.
I acknowledge that the board has dealt with enormous political pressure on the mask issue, but that is their job! Panhandle Health District's job is protecting community health, not promoting political ideology. The board may say they did not promote political ideology by dropping the mask mandate, but they did.
Top scientists and health experts from around the world understand that the coronavirus is a real danger to public health and must be stopped. Why is it that a group of noisy, selfish people seem to think that their right to do whatever they want is more important than caring for an entire community?
I am very concerned as to how our school districts are going to handle this deadly virus after Panhandle Health basically told people it is OK to do whatever you want.
Public schools need support. They are also a public institution that faces enormous public pressure. Panhandle Health has basically handed the enormity of this issue solely to them.
Communities work effectively when we work together for common goals. If we cannot even agree on public health issues, where are we going?
I have lived in this community for 42 years and have always had a deep respect for our medical community and the agencies that support them. I thank Dr. McLandress and Jai Nelson for courageously doing their job! I am asking the board to reconsider their decision. Difficult times call for courageous leaders!
CHERYL STRANSKY
Dalton Gardens
Could your newspaper please desist from taking away the PhD from Allen Banks who is a member of the Panhandle Health District board? Dr. Banks is a distinguished PhD who has worked as a DNA genetic scientist. I observe that when you refer to physicians you unfailingly term them doctor. I expect the same courtesy for scientist Dr. Allen Banks. Anything less is bias. Thank you.
MIKE HOFFMAN
The holidays are upon us. Some people like to party and drink. It’s been a tradition forever … until, that is, COVID landed.
We had low numbers when the bars were closed. The movies are going out of business. Maybe they already were because you can watch just about anything on TV.
Grocery stores can deliver food or out in your trunk. Children can do lessons from home, if necessary. We have plenty of clothes to wear and you can order Christmas online. Does that hurt the businesses? Yes. That’s where the world was headed before COVID. You can sit at home and have just about anything you want. Can’t blame it all on COVID.
When the bars opened up, etc, the rates started going up again. People come here so they can whoop it up and wear no mask. School started and the rates went up. People shopped and the rates went up.
Call it what you will … the rates go up when bars and stores open. Rather than go out of business forever, why not just close up for a short time? The unknown contagious person you chose to be near may be in the same room as your child, parent or grandparent next week. To not believe that people are dying from this virus is sad. Our hospital is understaffed and full. How many signs does one need?
JUDITH YANCEY
Coeur d'Alene