Stop ignoring science

My state (Republican) legislators’ report asks us to work together in this frustrating situation to stop and get through coronavirus, so let’s listen to our scientific health experts.

Ignoring that this unusually contagious and deadly virus spreads even when asymptomatic people exhale, and that it affects our many daily vulnerable front-liners (Mr. Rogers’ scary-times helpers), will only wreak more havoc.

Secondly, Asian surges have occurred, so I support our governor’s science-based careful reopening with robust testing and tracing before the virus spirals uncontrollably. We should demand a safe reopening with those measures, plus more PPE for all healthcare workers, more masks for shoppers and store employees, more Remdesivir for new COVID-19 patients, hazard pay and sick leave for all essential front-liners, rather than say, “the government’s infringing on my rights.” We all do better when … we all do better.

“Life” precedes “liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” so freedom isn’t absolute; just as one can’t falsely yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater, we shouldn’t assemble without distancing and wearing masks. Yes, living inconveniently is frustrating. A slow response nationally caused 90,000 deaths, including “helpers,” and over 30 million unemployed, but two wrongs don’t make a right.

Opening without preparation will exact an even heavier toll. In honor of our recently celebrated mothers who gave us life, let’s model working together for our children as our legislators ask with continued distancing and wearing masks to save a healer’s, a food delivery driver’s or an elder’s life.

Judy Silverstein

Spokane