[EXTERNAL] Lisa Heil COVID MeasuresMy name is Lisa Heil, and I am a resident of Kalispell. My husband is a disabled veteran, and we are both very concerned about the rising COVID cases and hospitalizations, not to mention
the horrifying positivity rates. I am grateful for your leadership encouraging and modeling mask wearing and social distancing to keep our community healthy. Unfortunately, however,
I don’t think it is enough due to the explosion of conspiracy theory type thinking in our area.
Many people have talked about the economic impact of stricter measures, but there are many impacts stemming from an out of control pandemic as well. A mother I know had to miss 2 weeks
of work, unpaid, after her child tested positive. I used to work for ride share and food delivery services, but it is way too dangerous for me now with my history of asthma, and we
come up financially short every month with that loss of income. I have family members who usually visit a few times a year, spending money on hotels and restaurants, who won’t even
consider risking a trip here. We used to go out on a regular basis and spend money at local businesses, and now the only thing I do is pick up curbside orders at the grocery store.
We have several superspreader events coming up at the fairgrounds, and our school and medical staff is not going to be able to bear the outcome. After the Health Board proposal for
limiting event size did not pass on a 4-4 vote, it is time for the City Council to reconsider this issue. Kalispell can make a huge difference because the fairgrounds are located here.
It is time to put politics behind us and listen to the experts. Many Republican leaders are putting measures in place due to the critical situations in their areas, and our area is
consistently in the media as one of the worst in the country. Please be the amazing leaders I know you are and take action that will save lives and set an example for other cities
in crisis.
Sincerely,
Lisa Heil