COVID-19 State of emergency Public Comment from Kenny SmithFrom:Kenny Smith
To:Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL] Montana vs. New York
Date:Tuesday, April 7, 2020 7:34:18 AM
We are not New York City, or New York State. You're killing our local economy by implementing
measures that are not appropriate to our population density.
NY State has 431 people per square mile. Montana has 7 people per square mile.
According to population density numbers, if every 1 person in 61 in New York State left their home
once a day, didn't touch any "high density" surfaces such as elevator buttons, and went back
home, they would have the same exposure rate (i.e. density of persons outside the home) as if
EVERY man, woman, and child in the ENTIRE STATE of Montana left their home, every day.
Their "social distancing" is our "normal".
NYC has 66,000 people per square mile, Kalispell has 1,822 people per square mile. If one
person in 36 left their homes in NYC per day, it's the same as if every single man, woman, and
child in the city of Kalispell left their homes every day. Conversely, if every other person in
Kalispell left their homes every day, that would be the equivalent exposure as one person in 72
leaving their homes in NYC per day.
Their "social distancing" is our "normal".
Sure, get the funding you need to get the resources in place, but a more measured approach
would be more appropriate for Montana.
Like the governor of SD is doing? And let us get back to work already? Kenny Smith