Health officials have done good job

I am writing as a resident of Ellsworth County regarding last week’s article about the actions of our local health and safety officials.

I would like to express my thanks to the local health officer and emergency personnel whose challenge has been to keep the citizens of our county safe during the COVID-19 crisis of the past several months. Dr. Ron Whitmer, Kerianne Ehrlich, and Keith Haberer have done what has been necessary, not what has been popular, and by following their directions the people of our county have kept the infection rate low.

The Kansas State Legislature requires local health officers, appointed by the county commissioners, to use “all known measures” to prevent the spread of diseases such as COVID-19, so in fact their actions are the direct result of the wishes of elected officials. Wisely, the legislature also requires this person to have medical qualifications that elected officials may or may not possess.

We should appreciate the fact that we have these three individuals, as well as all the other health care and emergency professionals in our county, to rely on during these trying times. We should also appreciate that they hold their positions based on their knowledge and dedication, not the elected position they hold.

David Hand

Ellsworth, Kan.

Selfishness over selflessness

“In the midst of a complex epidemiological disaster, to be anti-authority is to be ignorant. In the midst of a contagion, to act as if you are self-sufficient is just selfish.” (David Brooks, nyt.com May 21, 2020)

To be clear, Mr. Brooks refers to people refusing to behave in a simple manner that works to prevent the spread of the corona virus, e.g. wearing masks in public, maintaining social distance, etc.

A recent 300-mile road trip of mine revealed more selfishness than selflessness, that is to say I observed very few people wearing masks in public. I believe the selfishness Mr. Brooks refers to derives in part from a relatively limited risk assessment.

Take Kansas, based on the numbers published by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment May 22, 2020, one may calculate the risk of a Kansan contracting the virus as only 1 in 325, and conclude that the risk is not significant, but continue the calculations and the risk grows. Of those that contract the virus, 1 in 11 suffers effects that require hospitalization, not a pleasant experience. Compared to those hospitalized 1 in 4 die, an even less pleasant experience. I think most people would conclude that a 1 in 4 risk merits attention.

Some will rightly challenge my simple calculations as flawed, but arithmetic calculations aside, the risk of real harm increases once a person contracts the virus. When deciding whether to wear a mask, that increased risk needs to be factored into one’s decision.

One should also note that with time and more people contracting the virus, the risk of suffering real harm increases as the number of cases increase. The risks I mention were greater May 22, than they were April 22 and they will be greater June 22, than they were May 22, and so on. In short, simple practices that reduce risk to others reduce the spread of the virus and work to one’s own benefit.

Thompson article worth your time

Indy Readers, if you missed the opportunity to read “The Price of Liberty” in last week’s Indy featuring Major Kris Thompson, take the time to find it and read it. I think you will be glad that you did.

Jerry L. Marsh

Ellsworth, Kan.