COVID-19 State of emergency Public Comment from Jennifer BreeseFrom:Jennifer Breese
To:Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL] State of Emergency
Date:Monday, April 6, 2020 4:41:07 PM
Dear Kalispell City Council,
I am shocked to hear that you are considering enacting a State of Emergency for thecity of Kalispell. I strongly disagree with this for many reasons. First and
foremost because the city of Kalispell is not in a State of Emergency. The lasted
information I was able to find said that 6 people have died of Covid-19 in the stateof Montana. Not to sound harsh, any life that is lost is tragic and our hearts shouldbe with the loved ones that they leave behind, but when you compare this number to
the 311 deaths by suicide this year it puts it in perspective a bit. If we are going to
declare a State of Emergency over the 6 deaths from Covid-19 than we should have
declared a State of Emergency over the states suicide rate long ago. Not even thestate of California has introduced such strict rules in the name of Covid-19.
Secondly the proposed methods to combat the virus that would come along with the
State of Emergency are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Take for instance
the idea of enforcing a curfew. How is a curfew going to stop a virus? Are you onlyable to catch a virus between certain hours and if you don't go out during those
certain hours you will be perfectly safe? To my knowledge that is not how illnesses
of any kind work. But lets entertain the fantastic that this is how viruses work. What
if I am going to another family members house to help them? What if there is anemergency? Life doesn't stop between certain hours because we ask it to. Also in
trying to enforce curfew you are going to cause more people to be out at certain
times because that is the only time they can get groceries or go to the bank or any
number of things they have to do (remember, life doesn't stop because we ask it to).This will lead to more crowded spaces which is in contradiction to
recommendations. Another possibility with this declaration is for the police to be
able to enforce quarantine. What would that even look like? Will I be arrested if I
leave my house? If so that is in clear contradiction in keeping with therecommendations of the CDC because you will have taken me and put me in a place
that is crowded with other people (the jail) thus ineffective in stopping the spread of
the virus. Will I get a fine? If so you will put me in danger of not being able to pay
for other necessities because I don't have work right now because of businessclosures. Will you suggest that the police refuse to let me go from one private
residence to another private residence? To do so is an infringement upon my rights
(my First Amendment right to be precise) a United States citizen. Are the police
going to refuse to let people go to stores? What if people need food should they juststarve? What about people who need to get out of the house for their mental health.
I personally know people that become severely depressed when in isolation. Are
those people to just suffer? If they become the 312th victim of suicide are we going
to ignore their death because they were not the 7th victim of Covid-19? Also who is
issuing these directions as efforts to stop Covid-19? The City Manger who is not adoctor nor is he a man with any medical expiration. When looking at these
questions and downfalls it is clear to see that declaring a State of Emergency is not
only unnecessary but also not effective in fighting Covid-19 and is dangerous to the
citizens of Kalispell. This will only create higher tensions between the police andthe citizens of Kalispell as we will not give up our rights. The possibility for powerto be abused is so high if this is passes that it will be almost inevitable. I love
Kalispell and I have come to have high expectations of this city because of the good
that I have seen in it so I only want the best for it. I trust that this council will makethe right decision tonight and NOT declare a State of Emergency. Thank you foryour service to the city and for your time.
Sincerely
Jennifer Breese