Letters to the editor April 27

I support the phased and thoughtful measures that are being discussed to open Montana for business, in a successful and safe way that will protect our most vulnerable neighbors.

When COVID-19 was first making its appearance in the U.S. and then Flathead County, I was one to of the many people early on urging to use caution. At the emergency meeting of the Flathead City County Board of Health, I supported that we work with local businesses to adopt measures to continue to do business and to set up ways to protect themselves and the community from the spread of a virus that we were just learning about. The board met again, three days later, I supported the measures that the Health Officer recommended to protect our community from this still unknown virus.

More than 30 days have lapsed from that initial assessment to today. I still support the work of our community Health Officer and the front line staff that are providing medical care to those who are sick with COVID-19. Sick to any degree, not just in serious condition, but recognize that there are members of our community who are at home self-isolating, and many more who have not and will not be tested for COVID.

We mourn as communities across our country have seen this pandemic claim lives and livelihoods. Businesses, nonprofit social service programs, and hospitals have furloughed or terminated workers and closed doors – some permanently.

It is time to assess where we are, what we now know about the virus and how it spreads, along with what we know we can do to protect others. It is time that we trust the people and businesses in Montana to open and serve our community in a safe way. Our community can do this responsibly and I support their efforts.

I recognize that many are living in fear. What do we fear? A virus, that since January we have been told was certain to decimate communities, families, lives? A government that has used a crisis to reach beyond Constitutional authority to provide some sort of security? Each other? We have been driven by fear of illness to distance ourselves from connection, interaction, and compassion for each other.

Today, we know more than we did when we started to hear about COVID-19. We can be safe, responsible, and respectful of each other as we navigate going back to our new normal. It is time to face what we fear, and find a way back to the united community that we have always been. We can get to the other side of this, after all, we are in this together.

—Ronalee Skees, Kalispell

Is it possible that we have two county commissioners that do not understand the constitutional limits on freedom of speech? Not good.

The courts decided this freedom of speech issues a long time ago. It is simple. The free speech line is crossed when you endanger people. The example often used is that; Yelling “FIRE!” inside a crowded movie theater (when there is no fire). Dangerous speech is not protected by the Constitution, nor is it merely a “diversity of opinion,” as Ms. Holmquist asserted recently. Perhaps the next appointment to a county board should be a Flat Earther!

This virus has no ideology, and we shelter to protect the elderly and the compromised people that we love.

Yes. it is sad that the elderly cannot have visitors while we shelter in place. On the other hand, I have seen families outside the windows of the assisted living facility next door. Additionally, I had a delightful Easter call with my partner for her 92-year-old mother, so to talk re sheltering being cruel is simply a hyperbolic justification for a dangerous policy. There are alternatives while we protect the most vulnerable among us. That is why we wear masks!

—Andy Hudak, Whitefish

Does the local medical profession and administration understand the word “asymptomatic?” Taking a person’s temperature and asking useless questions does not reduce risk of spreading COVID-19. It’s like someone handing you a gun. You never ask if it’s loaded — you assume it is and treat it accordingly. Why not assume everyone has been exposed and could be a carrier? Just make everyone entering the hospital or medical offices wear a face-covering and gloves. Banning visitors at medical facilities is inhumane, useless and unnecessary, especially when spouses or next of kin are not visitors. Listen to the CDC as to the definition of asymptomatic. Please.

—Dee Armstrong, Bigfork

Every spring after the snow melts, there is a heart-sickening eyesore that appears in our beautiful community — litter along our highways.

Highway 93 between Reserve and Whitefish certainly sees most of the trash, but now I am seeing it everywhere. Since there are no tourists in town, we have no one but ourselves to blame. Let’s remember to bag all trash, not leave loose items in the backs of our trucks and certainly not throw cans and cigarette butts onto our beautiful highways and byways which eventually end up in our rivers and streams. Let’s clean up Montana. We can do better!

—Meggen Wilson

Usually, where there’s smoke there’s fire (Rep. Gianforte responds to accusations about profiting from pandemic, April 19), but one has to ask, “Why would Gianforte need to be any richer than he already is”? And, were there also investments made in companies that didn’t stand to profit from COVID-19?

Tim Fox’s allegations strike me as sour grapes and, for me, bring his character into question, as well. Can we ever have a candidate who is more focused on the issues that matter most, who have a sense of vision for the people and the state or nation they are seeking to represent? Or, are we forever subject to people who seek to get into office by rooting around in the dark with the intent to build themselves up by bringing others down? Even if it does work, it’s a shallow victory and is what turns people off to the political process as a whole.

And, if Rep. Gianforte is at fault, he knows his Maker will hold him accountable.

—Kathryn Berg, Bigfork

Perilous times demand steadfast leaders. Amid a global pandemic with no clear end in sight, international business operations grinding to a halt, economic stability teetering on a precipice and American people sheltering in their homes, Montana needs an experienced leader to guide our state through this time of adversity. Dr. Al Olszewski is just that man. His qualifications are broad and deep and are just what Montana needs at such a time as this.

Dr. Olszewski’s military service and training has prepared him to lead during times of natural disaster. His medical education and experience as a trauma surgeon qualify him to recognize and rapidly implement necessary solutions to prevent the ongoing spread of illness and disease. Olszewski’s legislative experience, political acumen and ability to shepherd legislation effectively through the Montana legislature set him apart from all other gubernatorial candidates.

Dr. Al Olszewski understands the true meaning of Duty, Service and Sacrifice. Montana should not and cannot select a lawyer or entrepreneur as our Republican candidate for governor. Our lives and fortunes depend on it.

—Paul E. Vallely, Bigfork