Letters to the editor April 16
We have all seen images of nurses, doctors and other health workers charging into hospitals and other areas where the Corona Virus is attacking fellow Americans. We see the police, firefighters and military service persons lending a hand wherever they are needed, in spite of their personal safety risks. These people are all heroes, risking their very lives to help. Many, like most American citizens, live paycheck to paycheck. The fortunate ones, some nurses, but mostly doctors, have means to survive this pandemic.
According to the Medscape Physician Compensation Report, in 2018, Primary Care Physicians in the United States earned on average $237,000, while specialists earned $341,000
The majority of nurses make from $48,690 to $104,100 annually. The average (mean) nurse salary at national level is $75,510.
The national average wage for a police officer in the United States, according to the most recent data released by the BLS, is $29.45 per hour, or a salary of $61,270 per year. The median annual wage for firefighters was $49,620 in May 2018. Salaries at U.S. Army range from an average of $30,972 to $112,682 a year.
These are the people we trust our very lives to, but let us compare their earnings to some of the following:
The median salary for all NFL players is $860,000. The average NBA player salary is $7.7 million. The median PGA players earnings in year 2012 was $628,079. Most of the professional athletes earn millions more in endorsements. Hollywood types earn millions per year.
What is wrong with this picture?
—Lawrence Whittington, Whitefish
Greg Gianforte has been running a positive campaign for governor, and poll after poll we’ve seen that Montanans are responding to it by supporting his candidacy. And now Greg has doubled down on this approach by adding another principled conservative with a history of success to the ticket. Kristen Juras is a tremendous complement to Greg, and will run on the same positive message that is winning with Montanans.
Seeing everything that is happening around the world, it is uplifting to know that people like Greg Gianforte and Kristen Juras are placing their focus on getting Montana up and running rather than wasting precious time compiling ways to attack opponents or those who have differing views.
It seems to me candidates who run their campaigns on negativity are covering up the fact they don’t have a clear path for how to make Montana the best it can be. Watch any television ad, listen to any radio interview or stump speech; it is clear who is hiding behind negative and backward thinking.
Greg Gianforte and Kristen Juras are not going to fall back on negativity and will put their energy into paving a solid path for Montana’s future.
—State Sen. Mike Cuffe, Eureka
Montana governor Bullock has extended the stay-at-home and non-essential business shutdown until at least April 24. Our state has over a million full-time residents, and at the time of this writing, Montana had 319 confirmed cases and six deaths from the Wuhan Covid-19 virus. Here in Flathead County, population 100,000, we had 31 cases and no deaths, which is exceptional with respect to the rest of America.
My thoughts and prayers are with all the workers in the essential workplace as they face this pandemic on a daily basis. Also, think of all the small businesses and their workers who have no income during these trying times. Financial problems create sadness, agitation and despair, which in many cases cause family breakdown, and frequently suicide. Also the truckers who are the lifeblood of our society, they have difficulty in finding places to eat, rest or shower.
This is not the way to thank the people that provide us daily with food, fuel, medical equipment and all other merchandise.
It is common knowledge that some unscrupulous foes under the guise of “take-out or curb service” are admitting patrons into their premises. Also, people visiting or returning from out of state are ignoring the 14-day self quarantine period.
I am wondering if instead of the shutdown we had a mandated and enforced requirement that everyone entering public premises has to wear a facial mask or similar cover to inhibit the transfer of the virus from one to another. Maybe this would protect not only essential workers but also each and every one of us.
I really don’t know if this would help us or not, but what the heck, I’m not a doctor or politician, I’m just a plain ol’ country boy lookin’ for answers.
—Martin R. Tetachuk, Lakeside
Regarding Ms. Bukacek’s ridiculous protest outside City Hall. I do not question her right to protest, but as a member of the health board her disregard for our current social-distancing guidelines is totally unacceptable. I call on the county commissioners to ask for her resignation immediately. If Ms. Bukacek has the courage of her convictions, it should be freely offered.
People are dying across the nation and right here in Montana, and all citizens are making sacrifices, but apparently Ms. Bukacek “knows better.” Personally, I would just as soon not die due to her Amon Bundyish, thug-like behavior.
—Greg Myett, Kalispell
Thank goodness for Governor Bullock’s forward-thinking and prompt response to this coronavirus pandemic. Because of his quick response and proactive measures, all Montanans are safer. We are in your debt, Governor.
—Kamala Trotter, Kalispell