Letters to the editor April 12

| April 12, 2020 1:00 AM

There was a time (47 years ago), our world got so deranged, we dropped out of school. Millions lost their jobs. Businesses closed.

I’m a 1975 G.I Bill grad. Thank you USAF, University of South Florida and the VA.

In 1973, my junior year, everything went down the rabbit hole. Our world practically collapsed but we came out of it.

Gas shortages proliferated, inflation and unemployment spiked, and the stock market crashed by nearly 50%. All caused by an oil embargo, this event became known as the 1973 Oil Crisis.

To save fuel, the speed limit was dropped to 55 mph across the country. Gas stations ran out of gas. Rationing of $2 per purchase caused lines, hours long. The price of gas escalated dramatically. It quadrupled.

The crisis finally passed. I and thousands went back to school. Businesses reopened. Millions went back to work. The stock market recovered. Gas prices lowered.

While no one died, much of America came to their knees. No one used gas to drive to shop for non-essentials, like shoe stores, clothing, sports goods, theaters, dining out. Stores closed by the millions. People lost their jobs. The stock market lost 50%!

Many of us were confined to our homes.

What else was happening? Vietnam War. And more.

America had to make changes to seek oil independence.

America struggled but survived. How? We understood the situation and acted appropriately.

Stay home. Wash your hands and keep your distance. Be patient. The greatest minds in the world are working on this. Don’t overreact to the blame game. And thank everyone. Teachers, health-care, first-responders, truckers, food service, grocers, everyone still working — and especially those who are not.

—Bill Milner, Columbia Falls

I will not defend Rep. John Fuller’s somewhat cavalier attitude toward the coronavirus disease (Politicization of a disease, April 5). I will, however, defend his concern regarding a basic constitutional right being suspended.

Freedom of assembly is as important as freedom of speech, and is actually closely intertwined with freedom of speech. Can such a constitutional right be suspended? If so, when — and by whom?

Let’s look at the current coronavirus information in Montana in that context. There have been about 6,500 tests conducted in Montana, and about 290 confirmed cases. That’s an infection rate of about 4 percent. Outside of Gallatin County, that infection rate is even lower. As of April 4, Gallatin County had one hospitilalization — with about 28 in the state.

So, let’s tie these statistics with the suspension of the right to assemble. Should coronavirus be taken seriously? Of course. Should you view statistics with a critical and discerning eye? Absolutely. Statistics can be made to say anything, but they do not say that Mr. Fuller is racist or incorrect to question the suspension of a constitutional right.

That suspension is quite likely to come to the forefront again at the end of April, when President Trump may well determine that parts of the country need to get back to work and Governor Bullock may disagree. The outcome of such a possible disagreement would be very interesting and important.

—William Gehling, Lakeside

I’m beginning to think this pandemic is affecting people in ways not foreseen, such as their ability to reason or even do simple math. For instance, Gary Goers quoted in his letter April 5 from CNBC (way back in early March when our knowledge of covid 19 was basically in its infancy) that the coronavirus is only twice as deadly (2%) as the seasonal flu (.095%). The corrected equation shows that it would actually be 20 times as deadly.

Rep. Fuller (Politicization of a disease, April 5) says that social distancing will do more harm than good, an opinion contradicted by science and a lot of people who may be smarter, and many others who refuse to socially distance themselves from their friends, neighbors or anyone else. That’s fine. Just stay away from me and others who are more vulnerable.

—Tim Wiley, Kalispell

There was a time

Not too long ago

When it was fine

To just to get up and go

Those times are no more

We must stay in place

And if you do roam

You cover your face

An evil virus from china

Can with a cough or a sneeze

Bring the most hardy

Quickly down to their knees

If one were to ponder

How long it could last

A year, maybe more

Before the danger is past

Sanitizers and wipes

And washing of hands

Is what we now practice

Across our great land

We stock up on groceries

Paper products as well

Do we have quite enough

Only time will us tell

So, friends this is a test

It’s your life to live

If you follow the rules