COVID-19 Flathead City-County Health Board_ Concerns Public Comment from Tara LeeFrom:Tara Lee
To:pmitchell@flathead.mt.gov; pholmquist@flathead.mt.gov; rbrodehl@flathead.mt.gov; Kalispell City Council;Hillary.Hanson@flathead.mt.gov
Subject:[EXTERNAL] Concerns regarding our Health Board
Date:Saturday, April 11, 2020 3:25:28 PM
Flathead Valley officials:
My name is Tara Lee, I am a Flathead Valley c ommunity member and nurse at KRH. I have
huge concerns regarding Dr. Annie Bukacek, the local physician that was placed on the board
of directors for the Health Department. She obviously stands strong in her convictions, with
that said her ACTIONS are undermining the important work that the local health department
and local hospitals are doing to save lives and prevent more transmission of COVID-19 in the
Flathead! As you have all seen the video that is going around of Dr. Bukacek, she is saying that
physicians are are wrong about their Covid-19 diagnoses.
Dr. Bukacek's comments and actions are not focused on keeping the community safe, instead,
her message is about sowing distrust of and undermining local public officials and front line
responders to the pandemic. From the Human Rights Coalition: " Bukacek's actions and
message are gaining traction, because her position as a doctor gives her a sense of credibility
that other Far-Right agitators trying to exploit the pandemic lack." This is truly frightening that
the Flathead is allowing this woman who clearly denies science and facts as she wants to fulfill
her convictions and truths over the truths of science and data.
Lastly, It is absolutely dangerous for a representative of our County Health Department to
repeat anti government talking points. This is a lovely invitation for armed extremists like
Ammon Bundy to come to the Flathead Valley and stir up more controversy. Her FB page is
wide open for everyone to see...one of her comments, " We well be staging protest soon. Stay
tuned. We need to speak up vociferously and stop this NOW...I am hoping and praying we can
avoid bloodshed." Bloodshed?????? She is inferring that bloodshed could be the end result of
our State and City and County declaring a state of emergency? This is not healthy for our
community.
I want Dr.Bukacek removed from the board of the Flathead City-County Health Department.
Respectfully,
Tara Lee
Kalispell, MT 59901