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Wheeler calls for state to ‘change course’ on pandemic

by KEITH KINNAIRD
News editor | April 3, 2020 1:00 AM

SANDPOINT — Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler is calling on Gov. Brad Little to lift Idaho’s stay-at-home order.

In an open letter, Wheeler questions the reliability of information about the novel coronavirus being distributed by the World Health Organization and the “devastation” caused by public officials’ response to that information. The letter further argues that it is Idaho’s responsibility to change course.

The letter also calls for an emergency meeting among lawmakers to discuss the matter.

“I do not believe that suspending the Constitution was wise because COVID-19 is nothing like the plague. We were misled by some public health officials, and now it is time to restore our Constitution,” Wheeler said in the one-page letter.

The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare imposed the order on March 25. It requires all Idahoans, with the exception of those engaged in essential services and business, to self-isolate.

“The isolation order is a crucial step in fighting the spread of coronavirus and ensuring our healthcare system is overrun with many cases at the same time,” Health & Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen said.

The order remains in place until April 15.

The governor’s office did not respond Thursday to a request for comment on Wheeler’s letter.

Wheeler’s letter notes that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott changed his state’s course by restoring churchgoers’ right to assemble.

“In the spirit of liberty and the Constitution, you can request those that are sick to stay home, but, at the same time, you must release the rest of us to go on with our normal business,” Wheeler said in the letter.

Appended to Wheeler’s letter is a letter written by Alfie Oakes, the operator of a grocery store in Naples, Fla. Oakes contends the government should not regulate business activities during the coronavirus pandemic.

“With the incredible power the globalists yield over the World Health Organization and the mainstream media, they easily created this incredible — yet completely baseless — fear around the world regarding COVID-19,” Oakes said in the letter.

Health & Welfare tallied 222 new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Thursday, bringing the state’s total number of cases to 891. Nine Idahoans have died because of the virus, according to Health & Welfare.

Bonner County has only one confirmed case of COVID-19, the Panhandle Health District reported on Thursday.

Wheeler’s letter drew spirited, disparate reactions on social media.

“Sounds like a good way to overload our healthcare workers and potentially kill some of your Bonner County residents. Way to go, sheriff,” Jaime Williams said in a post to the sheriff’s office Facebook page.

Others thanked Wheeler and praised his protection of residents’ lives and liberties.

“This is the right course,” Cari and Jimmy Cruse said in the sheriff’s Facebook post.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.