Letters to the editor April 9

A recent quote attributed to the mayor and city manager of Whitefish: “The City has been made aware of a recent trend of individuals leaving areas with high concentrations of COVID-19 cases in order to ‘shelter in place’ in small communities such as ours. While Whitefish has always taken pride in being a welcoming and inclusive community, this trend presents a very real risk to our citizens.”

These two genius epidemiologists are “asking” hotels and other places of accommodation to stop accepting reservations “non-essential” business through April 30. As of the time I write this, the total infected figure is 227, with five deaths. That’s two thousands of one percent infected.

So the city has elected to encourage businesses to voluntarily turn back those whom under normal circumstances would be welcomed to come and spend their money in Whitefish, under the guise of protecting the 6,200 people who live in Whitefish. What hubris!

There is something very wrong with this picture. What right does the city administration have to encourage the shut down of legitimate businesses? What about the economic effect that this will cause to owners and employees? What right does the city administration have to discourage tourists in bad times that they typically welcome in good times?

It is ironic to see liberals, or to call them by their correct title, Democrats, pushing to release jailed inmates during this time and thus send them back into their communities while discouraging those who want to come and shelter (and spend) in our beautiful mountains. Why do these same liberals close the churches while encouraging opening the jails?

Perhaps it would be better to close down City Hall during the duration. At least it would keep the powers that be from trampling on the rights of its citizens for a while, at least.

—Cy Appel, Whitefish

Here are four ways that self-employed people and small businesses can take advantage of the current economic situation caused by COVID-19.

1. Re-Tool: Is there anything you or your business can do with your current skills or equipment, to serve the needs today? We are seeing distilleries making hand sanitizer rather than liquor, manufacturing plants making gowns, masks, ventilators and supplies for front line. Look for the needs around you and evaluate if there is anything you or your business can do to provide for those needs.

2. Re-purpose: This downtime is a gift of opportunity to renovate, deep clean, paint, upgrade skills, create new menus, learn social marketing, educate staff. There are many, many free online services/courses to learn new skills regardless what industry you are in . This is also time to get CE credits for the year done. Many CE services are offering online training and online proctoring for CE. This is also a time to step up your businesses game in the world of online meetings and services. We will emerge out of this event a more tech savvy, more zoom friendly, world. Up your game and learn how to use online tools efficiently so they become the new norm for your business.

3. Re-deploy: If you are not able to retool then redeploy. Look for needs on the front lines and support them. Restaurant workers are helping food banks, making meals and distributing. Sewing machines are being pulled out and masks and gowns are being sewed for PPE supplies. I heard about a tech company that loaned their graphic design staff to the local non-profit to help them with graphics and services to get COVID information out to the community. Who can you serve?

And the fourth strategy is work on YOU!

4. Re-define YOU! Your health, your mental energy, your fortitude will be critical for you to be at optimum performance. Use this time to start, or up, your exercise game, to start, or up, your nutrition game, to start, or up, your spiritual game. The better you fuel and take care of you, the better you can emerge from this and thrive!

LET’S ACKNOWLEDGE those who are stepping up in our community. If you know of a local business person or company that is proactively implementing strategies and making a difference in these times, be sure to make an effort to thank them! As a community, together, we will emerge stronger!

—Pearl Galbraith, Whitefish

In such a time of world crisis it is unbelievable the House led by Pelosi and Clayburn would insist on the public funding of Obama-era free phones and windmills and solar panels before they would support bills to save health care and business. How far will the Dems go to accommodate the Squad and the Green Movement at the expense of the average American and Montana working family?

Enough is enough!

—Mike Warning, Whitefish

By now, it is clear that the COVID-19 outbreak is a national crisis. Like all Montanans, I am holding those affected in my thoughts, and I am praying for a speedy conclusion to this chapter in our nation’s history.

That being said, we must hold our elected officials accountable for their responses to this emergency, especially those who repeatedly downplay the threat posed by the Coronavirus. In recent days, Rep. Gianforte has misled Montanans, telling folks that the outbreak would “peak soon” and that their risk of contracting the virus is low, despite guidance to the contrary from our nation’s leading medical professionals. Furthermore, Rep. Gianforte waited almost a week to modify his campaign schedule – long after other candidates had – despite repeated warnings from the scientific community to cancel all large gatherings of people as early as last week.

In these uncertain times, we look to our elected officials for sober guidance and leadership. It is sad that Montanans can’t count on Rep. Gianforte to be that leader. I sincerely hope that Gianforte will start treating this crisis with the seriousness it deserves - lives are on the line.

—Mary Wellemeyer, Columbia Falls