HOSPITAL: Gratitude only grows

My family and I moved from Bonners Ferry to Coeur d’Alene in 1985 and have watched Kootenai Health (KH) grow from a midsized local hospital to a well-established, five-star facility that meets or exceeds the capabilities of any regional hospital. We are fortunate they are here.

The latest spike in COVID is a result of self-serving individuals who refuse to get vaccinated or wear protective masks. Their inaction has caused an overload in the ICU of KH.

Doctors are forced to cancel their scheduled surgeries. Nurses put their lives on the line daily, working shift after shift, to save the lives of people who don’t seem to care about the mental and physical stress they place on these brave individuals.

Over the years, medical scientists developed vaccines for smallpox and polio. Both plagues have been effectively eradicated. The same scientific community has developed vaccines for COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has monitored the process of development and reviewed the testing data to assure the public it is safe for nationwide inoculations. So-called “patriots” refuse to be vaccinated; yet, they don’t hesitate to fill ICUs to save their radical butts.

Only 42% of Idahoans have completed their inoculations as compared to a national average of 74%. I hope the Kootenai Health medical staff is not looking at these statistics wondering if they should move away to protect their mental and physical wellbeing.

LEONARD BRANT

Post Falls