The Mayor's Reply
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
I appreciate your valid concerns and comments.
This is a very vexing time for everyone, and even the medical experts can't even agree on the right course of action. We are on the verge of a depression, with unemployment claims hitting stratospheric levels, a complete collapse of our energy sector, and even acute financial distress within the healthcare sector as workers are being furloughed as elective surgeries have been banned. Each succeeding day of the shutdown deepens the financial damage and puts the recovery further out of reach.
After several days of contemplation, I concede that it isn't practical or reasonable to reopen the classrooms this spring. However, if we wait until (as a teacher told me) "it is 100% safe for teachers and students," school will never reopen in the fall.
My biggest concern now, is that many members of the public are beginning to forget about the stay home order. We are not doing it for ourselves, but for our community, and the responsible thing is for EVERYONE to abide by the order until it is lifted by the Governor. Judging by the nonchalant behavior and seemingly "non-essential" activities that I saw over the weekend, the public is already pushing back on the mandates. I suppose that many have been lulled into a sense of complacency by the containment of the (known) infection levels here in Elko County?
I am fortunate to be healthy, and am not fearful of being infected. However, I am terrified by the prospect that I could get exposed and be an asymptomatic carrier, unknowingly aiding and abetting in the spread of the disease, as you eluded to in your message.
I pray for your health, as well as that of all of the many citizens in our midst that have underlying medical issues that pose a huge risk factor. Please continue to take care of yourself and observe the CDC Guidelines. If you need any help with yard work or getting groceries, please let me know.
Thanks once again for reaching out and stay well,
An Open Latter to Elko, NV Mayor Reece Keener
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read my email.
With all due we respect to you and your sincere and well intentioned
opinions on this issue, I am not willing to sacrifice even one life
in a quest to open local businesses. Life is precious and priceless.
As you know, asymptomatic people can carry and spread the covid-19
virus. Until we have widespread testing we will have no idea how many
active cases exist in Elko County. Out of an abundance of caution we
must stay locked down until such time as widespread testing becomes
available or until such time as a proven and effective vaccine becomes
available. To do otherwise is to risk lives and risking even one life
to this scourge is unacceptable.
I understand the plight being faced by many local businesses. And I
understand the stress to many local families caused by the school
shutdowns. But I don't think we should take the chance that a student
might contract the virus at school and then come home and expose a
vulnerable household member such as a grandparent or a parent with
underlying health conditions.
Myself, I have kidney disease so having this underlying condition makes
it very personal for me. I am doing all I can to stay safe but this virus is
apparently so contagious that despite my best efforts I could possibly
contract it. This is a very scary time for all of us but I don't think
that now is the time to take a chance on opening things back up.
Thank you again Mr. Mayor.
With all due we respect to you and your sincere and well intentioned
opinions on this issue, I am not willing to sacrifice even one life
in a quest to open local businesses. Life is precious and priceless.
As you know, asymptomatic people can carry and spread the covid-19
virus. Until we have widespread testing we will have no idea how many
active cases exist in Elko County. Out of an abundance of caution we
must stay locked down until such time as widespread testing becomes
available or until such time as a proven and effective vaccine becomes
available. To do otherwise is to risk lives and risking even one life
to this scourge is unacceptable.
I understand the plight being faced by many local businesses. And I
understand the stress to many local families caused by the school
shutdowns. But I don't think we should take the chance that a student
might contract the virus at school and then come home and expose a
vulnerable household member such as a grandparent or a parent with
underlying health conditions.
Myself, I have kidney disease so having this underlying condition makes
it very personal for me. I am doing all I can to stay safe but this virus is
apparently so contagious that despite my best efforts I could possibly
contract it. This is a very scary time for all of us but I don't think
that now is the time to take a chance on opening things back up.
Thank you again Mr. Mayor.
