Believe in our system of government to continue to be a free and open society

For anyone who has followed the national news, last Wednesday was a horrific day. Watching as thousands of people stormed the nation’s Capitol to disrupt the elected members of the House of Representatives and Senate from doing their Constitutional duty, was not something I could ever have imagined watching in my lifetime.
 No matter where people stand on the political spectrum, belief in our system of government and democratic processes is paramount to us, as citizens, in order to operate as a free and open society.
 We are all Americans. We are fortunate to live where we do. We are a nation of laws. To keep our freedom, we must live by our laws. Our Constitution has worked for us since 1787. It will keep on working only if we, as citizens, let it.  
 On the COVID-19 front, I have been hearing several people saying the survival rate is about 99.98 percent (two deaths per 10,000) or comparing the death rate to the flu.
 Locally in Washington County, we have had 1,049 confirmed and probable cases. Of those 1,049 cases we have had 16 deaths or 1.52 percent of the cases. Looking at the official Idaho coronavirus site, the death rate is 1.02 percent. Nationally, based on the cumulative numbers from the various states the rate is about 1.67 percent.
 People can debate this information, but there is hard evidence to support these numbers. The difference between .02 and 1.67 percent may not seem like a large difference, but it is the difference in talking about how many cases per 10,000 and how many cases per 100.
 Sixteen deaths and many more instances of serious illness are too many for an area as small as Weiser. So, please continue to wear a mask (above the nose), distance from others, and wash your hands.  
 At times in this pandemic, it seemed that wearing masks, distancing, and washing was in our future indefinitely. But, thankfully, hope is on the horizon – the vaccine is here. So far, the health care workers and emergency personnel have had the opportunity to receive the vaccination.
 The process is currently focusing on the nursing home and assisted-living residents and the staff supporting them.
 The next stage will include teachers, front-line workers, and other essential workers.
 After this will be people 65 and older and those who are at serious risk from COVID-19.
 After that, sometime this spring the general population will be eligible. So, hang on. It’s just a matter of time now.
 The CDC is recommending if you have already had the virus, or received the vaccine, to continue to wear a mask in order to help prevent the spread to others.
 In talking to our Southwest District Health director, it turns out the virus can live in your nose even if you have immunity. Therefore, the virus can still be spread from an immune person just by breathing. So, until enough of us have immunity to stop this ugly disease from spreading, please continue to wear a mask, distance, and wash.
 Also, if you have already had the virus, the CDC is recommending you still get the vaccine. Again, as the SWDH director explained in our conversation, it is unknown how long natural immunity from having the virus will last. Evidence indicates that the immunity will last longer with the vaccine. So, for everyone’s sake, please get the vaccine even if you have had the virus.
 In city news this week, the Weiser Recreation Dept. has held off as long as possible to make a decision on whether or not to go ahead with the youth basketball and adult volleyball season. Considering the amount of time left for the season and the state still being in Stage 2 of the pandemic response, there is no choice but to cancel the season. The Recreation Dept. has its eyes set on perhaps having a spring soccer program…depending, of course, on COVID-19.
  Well, that’s it for this week. Hang in there. There will be a post-COVID life for us. It’ll just take a little more time.