I have been receiving a variety of emails from people all over the state about the decision in front of Central District Health, as they face skyrocketing case numbers and need to make decisions to increase public safety. Most of D19 constituents who have contacted me are very supportive of requiring masks and a comprehensive plan to prevent the spread of the virus. However, there are some people who oppose the Central District Health decisions and characterize them as “Draconian measures” and unconstitutional.
Here’s my response:
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I fully support Dr. Epperly and all those in our medical community and the Health Districts who are trying to reduce the spread of this deadly virus and improve health outcomes in our state. They are acting according to their statutory authority and are not doing anything that is unconstitutional.
As we have seen in news articles this week, the White House team has ranked Idaho as #1 in the country for the highest test positivity rate; today Idaho had more than 1,500 reported cases and 20 more deaths (the updated numbers are , which puts the total deaths from covid four to five times higher than normal flu and pneumonia deaths annually. Hospitals along with the Governor have been practically begging Idahoans to follow the best practices outlined by the CDC which includes wearing masks, social distancing, good hygiene, working from home, and avoiding crowds to reduce the spread of the virus. Hospitals are nearing capacity and are starting to make decisions about deferring certain health procedures due to a lack of staff and beds. There is an estimated need of about 20,000 nurses in our country with only 4,000 nurses in the hiring pool. Our nurses and doctors are physically and emotionally exhausted to the point that we will start losing more of them due to fatigue and concern for their own safety.
We all need to accept a small inconvenience to wear something over our mouth and noses to prevent this air born virus from spreading. That is a reasonable request, but folks aren’t adhering to best practice and are endangering other people. Masks are not a conspiracy nor part of a hoax. No one wants to wear them, but if we are going to protect each other, it’s a minor inconvenience that will help everyone.
I support our health districts and medical staff who are making decisions based on science and research. I trust them and I am asking you and others to please follow the CDC guidelines to try to slow he spread of the infection until we can all be vaccinated and develop some greater immunity.
This is a very dangerous situation. I support health requirements in our community to slow the spread of this virus, which will reduce the number of lives lost, get our kids back to school, and keep businesses open.
I send my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Epperly and his team, who have worked so hard in our state on a meaningful vision to develop a robust medial system. I’m so sorry that he is experiencing these attacks and I’m so sorry that our health care professionals have to go through all this pain when it could be prevented by very simple actions that reflect what I thought were Idaho values — being a caring and good neighbor.
I wish you the best and pray for your health and safety.
Senator Melissa Wintrow
Boise, District 19