I know this is a touchy situation and I don't envy those in leadership roles within the state right now. But at what point does the governor plan to rein in the mayor of Anchorage? We are currently heading back toward full shutdown again. He is crippling the economic and psychological well-being of our city. And for what? A disease that most people are fully recovering from in a few days?
I was under the assumption that all these regulations were put in place to protect the health care system from being overwhelmed. As of the date of this letter, there are 28 individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 (including those just “suspected” of carrying the virus) in the entire state. To date, there have been just 133 cumulative hospitalizations statewide. Meaning, one hospital in Anchorage could easily care for every single statewide COVID-19 case requiring hospitalization simultaneously since we started testing. And how much easier that the entire state’s health care system shares the burden of the current 28 individuals needing extra care.
How many people do we currently have hospitalized in the state due to alcohol or drug abuse? Sexual abuse? Ten times that amount? Twenty times that amount? Do you think those numbers will get any better as people become more isolated, their fears fueled, and their income dwindling as businesses shut back down or even close? I think the wrong dragon is being fought right now.I don’t mean to trivialize the suffering of those infected by this virus, but we must really pause to consider the damage being done, both short and long-term, to our city and state. While we target one very specific concern, other risks are being amplified. You don’t burn down your house to get rid of termites. We can’t tear apart our city to “cure” a disease.
This has gone beyond ridiculous. Our mayor has his own personal agenda and is infringing on rights that a president does not have the power to take away, much less some local official. He needs to be reined in, and it needs to happen now.
Chad Hufford
Anchorage
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