Letter: Government is overreacting to COVID-19

President Abe Lincoln said, “We can fool some of the people some of the time. We can fool some of the people all of the time. But we cannot fool all of the people all the time.”

Americans, including politicians, wake up and speak up. We are being “snowballed” and given a very rough time by public health, as dictated by extremely critical/overreactive/overcautious federal officials.

Yes, COVID-19 is a serious matter and very contagious. But let’s look at numbers and percentages for the deaths. One million for the 7.3 billion people in the world is only 0.013 percent. Two hundred thousand for the, what, 320 million people in the USA is only 0.063 percent.

Earlier, SRN News surveyed deaths in the USA. Sixty-seven percent were elderly with underlying factors, many in their last years in adult care. Some were perhaps weakened previously by the influenza vaccine. The remaining 33 percent tallies out to be 0.015 percent of the total U.S. population.

Most who become infected with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. Yes, like with any other ailment, they should stay isolated/quarantined at home (or a motel) for a few days. Only a few have to be hospitalized. A very high percentage recovers and survives.

Students, especially athletes, are generally in good to excellent health and should be allowed to play sports daily and attend school in person at least half time.

How many times in the past has the government “miscued,” overreacting with hasty emotional decisions dictating policies with little or no research? Examples: the spotted owl, the ban on cyclamate, the Freon ban, the misconception that mankind is causing climate change, et cetera.

Come on, public health, ease up your very harsh medical criteria. Why ruin the economy and bankrupt the country for a few people’s lives? Businesses, schools and colleges are suffering.

Errol Kramer

Odessa-Ritzville