Letters to the editor Feb. 28

Herd immunity

There have been a number of credible studies recently, the Mayo clinic and CDC for example, that indicate that the true COVID infection rate is 6 to 24 times greater than the number reported. Most studies agree that there are approximately 8 times more people that have had COVID 19 than reported because the symptoms were mild, one thought it was just a cold, or some other reason as in my personal case.

I was doing chemo for cancer and thought the side effects were especially harsh for some reason. I have had 40 cycles of chemo in the last eight years, so I know what side effects to expect. I decided I should get tested l for antibodies, found out I have them, so I had COVID not long ago.

So if we do some math, Montana is reporting 99,363 positive cases on Feb. 24. Multiply that number times eight, its 794,904. Add the number of persons receiving the vaccine, about 70,309, and the true number is 865,213. Montana would be rapidly reaching about 86% herd immunity.

A few days ago, a Dr. Marty Markary of John Hopkins, a well known and respected doctor who occasionally writes for the Wall Street Journal, stated that with the COVID infection rate falling by about 70% in the past month or so, he believes the U.S. will begin to achieve herd immunity by April this year.

That’s great news for us all. Of course the NaySayers are out there, especially those like the CDC’S flip-flopper Dr. Fauci who likes the limelight and the control, but is a lot short on truth and consistency.

There are plenty of those folks right here in Montana too. Those that say one can get it again if you had it before (less than 1% do get it again), or that the vaccine doesn’t work that well, or that you will turn into some kind of mutant from the shot. Malarkey!

I believe that most folks are positive thinkers. The vaccine works, it’s been proven.

I believe we are doing great. Montana’s numbers are falling more each week, and we might even beat the April time-frame Dr. Markary predicted. Let’s hope so.

—Darrell Christofferson, Kalispell

Impressive operation

Kudos to the Flathead City-County Health Department for the outstanding Covid-19 vaccination program they are conducting. I received my first vaccination on Feb. 4 at the county fairgrounds and was mightily impressed with the superb quality of the entire program, including the excellent organization and the professionalism and cheerful demeanor of the many participating professionals. What a fine, inspiring example of community!

To our City-County Health Department and the professionals who are making this vaccination process so efficient, effective and painless, thank you most kindly for your fine services!

—Richard H. Schaus, Kalispell

Ugly display

Many pro-life families have been standing outside the Whitefish abortion clinic through snow, wind and rain. While the honks for support far outnumber the thumbs down, there is an unnecessary vitriol of middle fingers and cuss words by some pro-choicers who do not wish protection for the unborn or their mothers.

Unfortunately, these hurling of cuss words and incomplete peace signs are often done toward parents and their small children. Regardless of political or moral views, this vitriol can be traumatizing to children and so those who support abortion rights should maintain their demeanor and express their views in a civilized manner: either ignoring the protesters or giving a thumbs down.

It does nothing to your cause to display such hatred; in fact, it only indicates that abortion has caused one deep harm which in turn is reflected in such hateful behavior.

—Giorgio Navarini, Kalispell

Trumplican

I used to be a Republican. I voted in my early years only for all the “Grand Old Party” candidates. Young Republicans in high school and all that. A staunch standard bearer.

I did not leave it, as it nudged right of center. It left me.

Then, the GOP, for the first time in its history, abandoned any sense of multi-faceted party platform in 2016. It embraced the flawed ideology of Donald Trump (“I alone can do this”).

What followed was a president that was universally disliked, could not manage to win a second term, never earned a favorability rating of above 46% in all four years, incited domestic terrorism, added over $4 trillion to the national debt and was impeached. Twice. He also left behind a record 18 million unemployed Americans. Along the way, he brought civility to a new low by calling everyone he did not like “suckers, lowlifes, and losers.” Now he is the ultimate loser.

As one who wouldn’t know the truth if it stood next to him in an empty elevator, he continued to spew over 31 thousand lies to the American public. Remember this one about Covid: “In the spring it will miraculously go away.” He bears the death of half a million American citizens because of his bungling of the pandemic response. Meanwhile, Trump spent one third of his time in office at his resorts golfing, at our expense, rather than governing. A swamp of his own making, and cruel tax payer money grab.

Truth is, Trump never was a Republican. He was a Trumplican first and everlastingly. He seized on a weak political party for his own self-aggrandizement and image building. He rode that party like a rented mule, leaving it tarnished, dazed and polarized.

It is not now clear how the GOP can ever recover from its own hypocrisy at this point. The lesson, though, is found in the famous saying from British historian Lord Acton: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

—Michael Ober, Kalispell