Do your research

To the Editor:

Recently Supervisor Haff's was quoted as saying “… And this may sound harsh because people are still dying, but I even question why we are still calling it a pandemic and why it is an emergency situation. Because only 0.2 percent of the population actually die.” This statement is callous, limited in knowledge, and disconcerting for a public figure. Every life is important, and a death from this illness, that perhaps could be avoided by protocols that have been in place, is sad. But, more importantly, Ms. Haff misses the extent to which this disease is impacting our medical systems both here in Tuolumne County and in other counties and states. The entire system is so burdened that doctors are having to make untenable medical choices and decisions about people. Additionally, people who are not sick with COVID have been impacted by not being able to have sometimes life threatening surgery or it is delayed, creating later problems in recovery. California has had less of this problem in the last six months than other states, in part, because the larger California cities are well vaccinated and have less cases per 100,000 than Tuolumne County. Thus, Tuolumne County still has options for sending people elsewhere unlike other states.

This is a pandemic that continues to have vast repercussions and impact on the people of the United States, and Ms. Haff should both not make light of the situation and also be more knowledgeable regarding this devastating disease and its impact on people.

Jill Sardeson

Sonora