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Question of the day
Thursday, Mar 12, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller * Um, wow…
Ohio’s governor, Republican Mike DeWine, just shut down all his state’s public schools for three weeks. * Context…
* Perhaps the most pressing problem…
South Korea’s population is 51.47 million. US population is 327.2 million. * The Question: Should Illinois temporarily close its public schools? Make sure to explain your answer.
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- Captain Who - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:39 pm:
Yes. Mitigation seems to be the key to flatten the curve.
- Patchwork Orange - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:39 pm:
Just watch what happens in the next 24 hours…..
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:42 pm:
The problem is we rely on schools to provide a variety of social services to children, including, in some cases, 3 meals a day…
- SOIL M - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:43 pm:
Not at this point. But that can change quickly. As of now, the indications are that the major impact is on elderly patients, not younger. Over reaction can be as dangerous as being too slow to react. Keep up to date with good trustworthy information and make informed decisions. Be ready to revise your plan and your response as new information comes up. The panic that took place in Memphis schools early in the week was terrible.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:43 pm:
I can support the decision, it’s up to the governor to make that call, and make it with the information he has now.
Should he, should Illinois?
It’s difficult right now to make a case the state and the governor should not, especially with one state choosing that path, and me, personally, or knowing all the information our state has.
- Davesurance.com - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:44 pm:
Not unless they compensate parents who cannot afford to stay at home. Obviously this is not a situation where grandparents can watch them….
- Blake - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:46 pm:
I lean toward yes. The social distancing, fewer cases at any one time, sounds productive.
Also, will there be an announcement of how many new confirmed cases Illinois has today & which counties?
- socialist state - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:46 pm:
If the Governor is going to do this I hope his people have thought through all of the what ifs that will need to be addressed. They’re really smart people and probably have a list of 100+ things. A few come to my mind.
- For many kids school is the only place they eat. Will there be arrangements made for meals?
- Will the state help with child care arrangements for those who are required to keep working, such as first responders, nurses, essential personnel, etc
- Has DCFS prepared for additional home visits for at risk kids who will now be home 24/7
- Closing schools usually leads to closing other daycare/childcare facilities. What is the plan for the ripple effect. Will parents living paycheck to paycheck be required to keep paying for daycare that isn’t being provided
- ChicagoVinny - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:47 pm:
Yes. I think when this is all over, states that took bold action will have fared much better than those that did not.
- ImHere - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:47 pm:
CPS should have been closed on Monday. That horse left the barn, so Chicago will get hit hard.
All the others — close them as a precaution. It worked in Japan.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:48 pm:
===The damn media===
Ohio disagrees
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:48 pm:
Yes. It won’t stop the virus or eliminate it, but it will drastically help flatten the curve so that our health care system isn’t overwhelmed. I’d rather not end up rationing ventilators and having doctors decide who should live and die, like in Italy.
- Real - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:49 pm:
The US has the slowest response of all countries.
Close the schools now
- Don't Bloc Me In - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:49 pm:
Not sure if or when this should be done, but schools should be ordered to make preparations for this. Parents need the heads up, too. Employers of the parents should be encouraged to cooperate.
- ImHere - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:51 pm:
–126 retired–
its simple math. ignoring the problem cuz the numbers are low *right now* is how you get Italy and Iran. Being proactive is how you get Japan and the low death rate of South Korea. I’ll take some short-term pain for some long-term gain.
- Former Candidate on the Ballot - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:51 pm:
No - Schools are doing what they should - limit assemblies, sporting events, plays/concerts, etc. Next step is to limit contact at recess, lunch, in the classroom. You actually lose a level of management and observation by having children freely interact outside of school without supervision.
- Han's Solo Cup - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:51 pm:
No. This is such an overreaction. Bar visitors to places with high risk people such as nursing homes and hospitals-yes. Close schools and universities when there has not been one recorded case at that facility is way over reaching.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:52 pm:
===Ohio disagrees===
To put a finer point on it, Ohio, a state run by Trump-supporting Republicans, disagrees. They’re taking action and ignoring their President and his attempts to minimize this by trying to making it partisan or saying it’s a media narrative.
This is not a partisan or media issue. It’s a public health issue.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:52 pm:
Do we really want to wait to find out we have a big problem? It is better to overreact than under-react. Yes. People need to disengage from each other, hopefully only for a short amount of time. Do it now, not when it is too late.
- Fairycat - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:53 pm:
Absolutely we should close schools and take a step back for several weeks. We are not special or immune.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:53 pm:
Lack of information on the spread is a serious issue. As of yesterday, the IDPH reported:
Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 in Illinois
Test Results:
Positive (confirmed) 25
Negative 266
PUIs Pending 76
Total PUI 367
367 people under investigation…that’s so small…
On the other hand, only about 10% of those tested have the virus. Is that good news, or are we testing the wrong people?
I lean toward safety, but what does that mean? Are kids safe if they are home alone without food?
The virus is in Illinois, but how widespread is it? Shutting things down will reduce the spread, but so, too, can simple hygiene (which is not so simple with kids).
Sorry for rambling, but I’m really torn on this. I do not envy the Governor his job.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:53 pm:
Yes. Close the schools.
We don’t even have the data available because we can’t even test. Close the schools.
They idea of waiting a week to see how many more folks get sick after they’ve already spent days being able to transmit the virus to other people is reckless and irresponsible.
- Sensibility - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:54 pm:
At this point this is a drastic step that has definite economic consequences for parents that are impacted. We need to be sure that the potential social costs of ensuring the health of the elderly/immunocompromized outweigh the unprecedented damage to the economy that these combined actions will have. This may have made sense a few weeks ago, but may have limited effect now.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:54 pm:
I don’t have an opinion on this.
What I WILL do, is listen to the advice of people who have spent their life training in the medical field, and who have come up with what they think are the best solutions to prevent a surge of new infections.
I may not like every decision, but this isn’t about just me. This is about all of us.
If the medical experts say to do it - then do it.
If you are a municipal official, its time to set egos aside and realize this is larger than your little kingdom. Step aside, and let the medical professionals give direction on how to best proceed.
I know we as a country have generally lost the respect of experts, and that may be our downfall.
- South of Sherman - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
Should I follow the expert advice of health professionals around the country? Or should I tailor my behavior to the online rants of “126 retired”?
Decisions, decisions…
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:56 pm:
=== outweigh the unprecedented damage to the economy===
If you are making decisions based on dollars and cents versus lives, I’m glad you are not making ANY health decisions for a society.
- Real - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:57 pm:
Exactly like Fairycat said.
The US thinks it’s special and immune. The inaction and slow reactions will result in potentially being hit the hardest.
- ImHere - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:58 pm:
The Govs press conference got moved to 5pm it seems. Might have some big news to announce.
- Mandated Reporter - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 2:58 pm:
We have discussed this in my building all day. What if… So many students have a safe, warm place at school that provides them with more than just an education. Food insecurity is an issue in many homes and that is something that we worry about for many students. Also, while many might roll their eyes at the idea of standardized testing, the SAT and AP exams are very soon. For those students who take those seriously, being in a classroom or having instruction is important for that coursework. They’ve been working so hard for this. I know many colleges have switched to online coursework, but with a public school like mine, and especially schools with students in high poverty districts, we can’t assume that students have access to the technology or internet access required to complete assignments via Google Classroom at home. All the while, my hands are very dry from sanitizer and Lysol wipes as I type this. I have yet to use a sick day once this year, while many of my students have been hammered with the regular flu. We also have an insecurity of subs in our district. I say it should be like a snow day… a district by district decision based on the Department of Public Health in the area.
- Sensibility - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:00 pm:
Oswego Willy. I completely understand your point, and appreciate your postings, but we make these decisions every day when determining what safety features to mandate in cars, etc. It’s just not as clear for people to see as it is here.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:01 pm:
It’s not just childcare that needs to be taken into consideration, it’s also access to food. The current federal administration has damaged so many chains of “supply” for families and children that trying to relink or restore those in this current situation will be very hard. States will most likely need to continue to ignore or override some federal rules and regs to make sure kids and families don’t go hungry, lose housing, lose jobs, or lives due to where they are on the wage scale.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:02 pm:
Our daughter attends a day program for Developmentally Delayed Adults, when I picked her up today they informed me they were suspending operations for at least 10 days. While a hardship for our family, I 100% agree this is the right thing to do.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:02 pm:
===I completely understand your point, and appreciate your postings, but we make these decisions every day when determining what safety features to mandate in cars, etc. It’s just not as clear for people to see as it is here.===
“… as long as my 401K”
You understand nothing.
If you are making decisions based on dollars and cents versus lives, I’m glad you are not making ANY health decisions for a society.
No one, and one’s family member, friend, neighbor, should die so you can feel good about your money with this Coronavirus.
Nope.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:03 pm:
==Should I follow the expert advice of health professionals around the country?==
Here they are: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html
No simple answers to complex problems.
Everyone (not just school kids) should probably stay home for two weeks. In fact, if everyone but school kids stayed home, it could slow the spread more than closing just schools because the school is a much more closed community than workplaces are.
But, it’s not that simple…
- Sonny - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:06 pm:
Anyone who has kids in school knows how germs spread. Of course they should close the schools.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:07 pm:
Pritzker press conference delayed until 5 at around the time DeWine made his announcement. Hearing CPS will either be there or have a presser of their own around the same time. If there’s a public school in Illinois open on Monday, I’d be pretty surprised.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:07 pm:
I will support the Governor’s decision in this matter as he has access to far more information than I do.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:07 pm:
Yes, close them. The key is mitigation, as was stated above. This virus absolutely should not spread more than the best we can do to keep it from spreading.
- Pick a Name - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:09 pm:
As of today, 38 people have died from COVID-19 in the United States. 22 of the 38 contracted the illness at 1 facility.
30 of the 38 deaths were in Washington state. Average age is 77-78
- Nick Name - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:11 pm:
If they are closed, provisions must be made for the kids whose only meals every day are the ones they get at school.
- Jibba - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:12 pm:
Yes and immediately. How anyone can think we are somehow special and different than the rest of the world is beyond me. We will follow Italy and the rest of Europe, at least. 100K plus infected in Ohio? It’s here, too, we just haven’t been able to test enough for it yet. Let’s try to be Japan instead. A month or more off will not kill anyone, but the virus will.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:12 pm:
=== As of today…===
Ohio is closing all public schools until April 3rd, then reassessing.
- In 630 - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:17 pm:
Illinois already has community transmission cases. Absolutely, close them formally and urge districts operate them as drop in centers for meals/safety for kids that need them.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:20 pm:
It’s inevitable that schools will have to be closed, so do it now, and reduce the chance of infection for students, staff and their families.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:26 pm:
To the post,
It’s a great question, I stated I lean yes, but I don’t have all the info the Governor has, including the medical information and stats. If the governor decides not to close schools, I’m going to take that as he, and his administration, have been far more thoughtful than the federal government response.
My pushback, with all that said, don’t tell me “it’s nothing, meh”… professional sports leagues, that, you guessed it, figure in the almighty dollar, are stopping. Broadway is shutting down, now Ohio schools are closing.
If your rationale is a “dollar versus ‘sense’” thing, people with billions in the pot are shutting doors.
Make a better argument, stop pretending this is “meh”
/End Rant
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:27 pm:
===As of today===
As of January 30th, Italy had two reported cases.
- No Raise - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:29 pm:
This is hysteria, and it’s going to do substantially more damage than simply concentrating on hygiene and common sense. It’s the classic Benjamin Franklin theory about giving up freedom for security and losing both.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:34 pm:
Maryland joins Ohio.
- Mason born - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:36 pm:
My 2c is no to a state wide shutdown. If it’s been present in the district shut them down, if no presence, assuming officials can make competent guesses in that regards, keep them open for all the important reasons everyone else has stated.
I think nursing homes should either blanket curtail visits or place a minimum age. Big fear, IMHO, is a kid gets it has no to minimal symptoms and visits grandma in a home.
Just my 2c.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:36 pm:
=== As of today…===
Really? As of yesterday, less than 8000 people have even been tested in the US (less than 300 tested in Illinois). Think about that. The number of confirmed cases is not very useful if testing is not widespread.
- Pick a Name - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:37 pm:
The US has about 12% of the cases of Italy and 5 times the population.
The federal government wisely banned travel from China in late January, so they were very proactive.
There have been 827 deaths in Italy, 38 in the US, 22 from one facility, 30 from one state.
And now, the US have banned travel from Europe.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
===assuming officials can make competent guesses in that regards===
And how can they do without tests?
- Get it Solved - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
Yes, I would 100% support closing K-12 schools. Schools are full of germs and should be closed for a period of time to help control the spread.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:40 pm:
==This is hysteria, and it’s going to do substantially more damage than simply concentrating on hygiene and common sense.==
Common sense isn’t very common. Common sense might have prompted people to forego travel back in December or January for 2-4 weeks. That would have slowed the spread significantly. I do not recall seeing that happen.
- Moe Berg - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:41 pm:
SMH at some of you folks. Did you read what Rich posted?
The Ohio Public Health director said, although they only have 5 confirmed cases, they believe there are at least 117,000 and there is community spread.
So, if Illinois has 25 confirmed cases (5x Ohio), the number of actual cases is likely much more.
1% of the Illinois population = 127,400.
- Anon - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:42 pm:
I lean towards no, because
(a) there is some indication that children are not getting sick,
(b) schools provide needed resources to children in large parts of the state,
(c) many parents will be force to find care for their children while they work (even if at home), (d) the WHO stated today that at least 80% of cases are mild (and that may understate it because it appears a not-insignificant number of people remain asymptomatic),
(e) transmission is still likely even if schools close, so it may not help much (see the Ohio 1% claim),
(f) overwhelmingly, the only people affected are over 70 (especially over 80) with comorbidities (cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, and a few others).
- Birds on the Bat - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:42 pm:
Close schools for at least next week and re-assess. Schools are all taking spring breaks soon anyway so mandate it for next week.
- Anon - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:45 pm:
For those discussing testing, realize that in the US, testing has, for now, been limited to people who are (a) more serious condition and (b) more likely to have covid-19. That makes the test results less useful for policy decisions (in either direction). It makes fatality rate appear higher, but may significantly understate number of infected and transmission rate.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:45 pm:
==The US has about 12% of the cases of Italy and 5 times the population.
The federal government wisely banned travel from China in late January, so they were very proactive.==
See above. 1) We aren’t testing very broadly, so we have no idea how many cases we have. We could have 10 times as many as Italy, we do not know. 2) Travel from China was not banned; some travelers were banned. Also, travelers from many other countries with the virus were not banned. Some travelers from some European countries are now banned, but there is no rhyme or reason to the restrictions. (And, most of what the president said last night turns out to be false or misleading.)
- Mason born - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:46 pm:
Rich
Completely agree we need more testing as soon as possible. Just leaning towards making this decision on a case by case vs statewide decision. If IDPH doesn’t think they have enough data to do so then yes close them.
- jimbo - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:50 pm:
I’m way late to the conversation, but I guess I am one of the only no votes.
It is agreed upon that kids are carriers but not dying or getting severely sick from this.
It is also agreed upon that this is deadly for elderly individuals.
I have to go to work. So does my spouse. Wanna guess who’s going to watch my kids? Grandma and Grandpa.
People that I am able to keep separate until the schools close.
There is data to support that closing schools can make a viral outbreak worse not better.
- Robert the Bruce - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:53 pm:
Yes, but not before schools and cities figure out how to get food to the many students who depend on the schools for their meals.
- Springfield Westsider - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:53 pm:
Close the schools, assess any risks and get a plan in place. Get ppl tested. Because on the flip side, if nothing is done immediately and the virus spreads rapidly in IL, it can and will get dicey when the lawsuits start flying.
Better to be proactive than reactive
- SOIL M - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:56 pm:
Rich—With so much wrong information being spread, by people who want to count this as nothing and by people who want us to think that we are all doomed, could you keep a link up to this-http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus and to this-https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
Again, Reasoned Response based on up to Date, correct information. Not panic, not ignoring it, but informed decision making.
- Morty - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:01 pm:
‘if no presence, assuming officials can make competent guesses’
Some already are not. The virus has been in 2 local schools who shut down today to ‘sanitize’ and will re-open tomorrow.
With a virus that can have a week of incubation before symptoms occur.
The building doesn’t spread the virus, people do. They will in all likelyhodd be reintroducing the virus back into their school tomorrow.
- Morty - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:03 pm:
And that is not to say they should close the schools.
But a partial response does nothing useful.
Do, or don’t.
Just decide.
- Skeptic - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:05 pm:
“cities figure out how to get food to the many students ” “What we have in mind is breakfast in bed for 500,000.” If a bunch of stoned hippies can do it, I think a reasonably competent government agency should have a good shot at it.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:08 pm:
===Maryland joins Ohio.===
Indiana Gov is leaving it up to the districts, but is granting 20-day waivers to the 180 day school year requirement
- Interested... - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:14 pm:
The fact is that we have no idea what is going on here. In Ohio, there are 5 confirmed cases, but health officials estimate that 117,000 people have the virus. Also, significant numbers of infected people are asymptomatic. This is a public health disaster! Close the schools!
- Frank talks - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:23 pm:
Said it before and will say again, we need test kist. The lack of knowing what is out there and how to address is leading to an extreme because of the inability to test and verify the illness. Where are the clusters occurring? Where has it started where has it spread and how? The lack of test kits from the CDC is ridiculously unacceptable. If the borders weren’t shut I’d recommend the Governor outsource the testing kits from the WHO and go around the CDC. If that’s even possible?
- Anon - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:30 pm:
Frank talks - that’s not possible anyway. The labs that run the test must be approved and test must be validated by the FDA. FDA expanded who can conduct tests (testing is usually strictly limited for triage purposes).
- Rich Hill - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:52 pm:
Reviewing this thread will be interesting around March 20.
- Archpundit - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:59 pm:
Closing schools can be undone so it’s not like the entire year is being called off automatically. Especially with spring breaks right around now, close down schools with appropriate resources for kids with nowhere to go and then reassess after some planning.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 5:00 pm:
I say close them. Our local district had used zero snow days so far, and this is more important than snowflakes, ahem.
- Archpundit - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 5:01 pm:
===If the borders weren’t shut I’d recommend the Governor outsource the testing kits from the WHO and go around the CDC. If that’s even possible?
Both Cleveland Clinic and Mayo have tests ready to go, but are ramping up production. They have FDA approval for the emergency and other institutions with similar experience can create them now. The problem was they where given the green light quick enough.
We also have to get the reagent from Europe apparently and, well, they aren’t happy with us today.
- Pick a Name - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 5:29 pm:
The Ohio health officials think there are 117,000 people in their state with the virus??
How did they arrive at this figure? Wouldn’t the hospitals be flooded with patients? If 117,000 people really had the virus, wouldn’t the figure be about 1 million Ohio residents with the virus in about a week?
In 2018, 61000 people died from the flu, almost 150/day. Yet, many people choose not to get a flu shot and seem proud that they don’t.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 5:34 pm:
===Wouldn’t the hospitals be flooded with patients?===
Long incubation period.
- Zoinks - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 7:39 pm:
DNR Chief of Staff told us today during statewide site super meeting to close parks but bolted when we asked follow up questions. We are unclear what’s to happen.
- Pundent - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 8:46 pm:
=In 2018, 61000 people died from the flu, almost 150/day=. Stop it already. This isn’t the flu. It isn’t diabetes or heart disease or any other know illness or condition that results in death. Equating this to the flu is an ignorant meaningless comparison.
- Pick a Name - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 8:56 pm:
You really didn’t read the last sentence in full, did you Pundent? Either that or you just didn’t comprehend it.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 9:07 pm:
- Pick a Name -
I notice you didn’t mention the stock market today.
If the stock market drops, roughly, 1400 or so points tomorrow, every point from the day Trump was inaugurated will be lost.
Every point.
Now throw in the billion dollar industries shutting down; NBA, NHL, MLB… Broadway…
The economy is close to cratering, the stock market is in a Bear market now.
To be honest, you’re tiring right now trying to discuss this virus as no big whoop.
Twenty-one states declared themselves in a state of emergency, the President has not declared the United States in an emergency.
Sit at the end of the bar, yell at the Tee-Vee, feel better about it… but enough of downplaying this pandemic, the fiscal damage, and really come to grips with the fact… the fact… this country is still not prepared for what’s coming.
That’s not me “yelling” at you. That’s Dr. Fauci, NIH… he described all this as… a disaster.
Enough.
Please.
- Pundent - Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 9:07 pm:
I read every word you wrote and each of your prior comments. You seem intent on minimizing and/or trivializing the issue with meaningless comparisons and highlighting our “perfect” responses. This is a real problem and the response of the federal government has been disastrous.