An Open Latter to Elko, NV Mayor Reece Keener
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
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.
