Letters to the editor April 23

I remember sitting in Dick Chapman’s entertaining Mythology course at Flathead High in 1982. The teacher illustrated the ancient concept of the dilemma. Odysseus returning home from the Trojan War consulted an Oracle before sailing through the Bosporus. The Oracle foretold that the ship would encounter the giant whirlpool Charybdis on one side, or the nine-headed monster Scylla on the other. Scylla would claim nine lives if Odysseus passed that way. Charybdis would either claim none or all of the ship’s sailors. Odysseus chose the path of Scylla for he knew he could not risk the entire ship and crew. He placed himself at the head of the ship and fought Scylla furiously but in the end, as foretold, nine of his fellow sailors were tragically lost.

The coronavirus presents a classic dilemma for our leaders. Allow the virus to go unchecked and lose thousands of lives until we develop herd immunity. Fight the virus through mitigation measures (social distancing, quarantine, business closures, etc.) and destroy our economy and millions of lives.

May our leaders have the courage of Odysseus and not sacrifice the needs of the many for the needs of the few. May our leaders stand at the head of the ship and confront Scylla and fight furiously to minimize the losses. But let us not gamble the entire ship.

—Fred Illich, Columbia Falls

In response to Julie Marten’s letter disparaging Flathead County Health Officer Hillary Hanson, several observations. First, Ms. Hanson is a county employee and in her position she reports to the Board of Health which is nominated by the County Commissioners as well as to the County Commissioners. Just as decisions by any county leader are ultimately under the oversight and responsibility of our elected commissioners, so it is in this current crisis.

Having observed Ms. Hanson’s work since she started working in Flathead County after providing distinguished public service for Yellowstone County Health/Riverstone Health in Billings, I have seen her diligently, thoughtfully and carefully conduct her work and direct her staff, deal effectively with the community and serve the interests our citizens well.

Clearly, both the Health Department, Board of Health and the commissioners all had contact and solicited feedback from businesses and individuals. These decisions were certainly not taken lightly.

Further, the county is coordinating closely with Kalispell Regional, North Valley, the Flathead Community Health Center, independent physicians, DPHHS and the Governors office, the CDC and our national government. To suggest that this is a local overreach sadly demonstrates a lack of understanding of the work and coordination required to address such an emergency.

As to the question of unconstitutionality — the courts can easily and quickly answer that question.

I hope there is a Health Officer who shares Ms. Hanson’s dedication to public service in every county, as well as county commissioners and local boards of health who are empowering them to follow the science and protect the health of all Montanans.

—Bobby Lopp, Kalispell

First if all I want to start off saying that I have no problem with the stimulus checks and the added stimulus that is added to unemployment. I have family that is benefiting from this help and I am grateful for this help. Hopefully people will use the extra money to get ahead or pay past due bills.

But here is my question: How fair is it for those who are still working?

Now follow me here, the added stimulus is equivalent to $15 an hour ... $15 an hour added to a person’s unemployment.

So for anyone working at or under $15 an hour where is their incentive to continue working? I am disabled and get $1,100 a month ($940 after Medicare), and my wife works at $14.65 an hour. We would be better financially if she were laid off!

With this stimulus, what is the incentive to go back to work for those making under $15 an hour? Now I realize this is only temporary, but what about some incentive for those who are keeping our society and economy moving right now? What about some incentive for those of us with families that make less than $30,000-$50,000 a year?

If money is getting handed out to help our economy keep moving, why not divide that money, like the federal government stimulus, and make it “X” dollars per person regardless if they’re working, on unemployment or Social Security. If they had income last year, then they get help this year.

If the desire is to keep the economy going, then let everyone get and spread the wealth.

Just a thought!

—Monte Jones, Martin City

Thanks to Governor Bullock’s prompt, measured and proactive actions to address COVID-19, Montana has one of the lowest confirmed infection and mortality rates in the nation. His decisiveness, based on expert public health advice, came during the early days of this pandemic when messages from the federal government were changing by the hour and were often confusing and contradictory.

We’ve all been challenged by stay-at-home orders, business and school closures, social distancing recommendations and fear of the unknown. But we should all be pleased as Montanans that our efforts are paying off. We still have a long way to go to beat this virus, so as we look to reopen our communities, we must be diligent in heeding social distancing and other prevention recommendations to avoid any rebound of this invisible enemy.

There will be plenty of time for Monday-morning quarterbacks in a few months, but for now, let’s give credit where credit is due. Thanks Steve!

—Kip Smith, Kalispell

I want to give my appreciation for all the new and longtime reporters and editors at the Daily Inter Lake with a special shout-out for Fritz Neighbor coming on as sports writer and columnist. He is extremely knowledgeable about the sports world and especially Montana sports. His columns have been very enjoyable reading. I followed his reporting on Grizzly athletics when he wrote for the Missoulian.

In all the 33 years I worked at the paper in advertising and the 11 years since I always held the editorial staff in high esteem. They do a terrific job and the Flathead needs OUR daily paper to remain an integral part of our community. Please keep reading traditionally or online.

—Mike Wood, Kalispell