Rather than defund PHD, we should give them more funds

As COVID-19 "survivors" my husband and I oppose Commissioner Bradshaw's proposal to defund the Panhandle Health District and we support the PHDs mask mandate.

One of the scary things about getting sick with COVID-19 is the isolation required when you are sick. In our situation, my husband's doctor's office was closed because their staff had COVID. Panhandle Health District was a main lifeline for us. Someone from PHD called after each of us tested positive. They checked to see how we were doing, whether we had a support network of any kind, and whether we had possibly spread the disease to others. They gave us a number to call in case we had more questions or needed more help. They gave us guidelines for self-care.

These phone calls were reassuring at a time when we couldn't have friends coming into our house to help us and when our doctor's office was closed. We are so grateful for the Panhandle Health District.

Is wearing a mask for a short time in a store, or when you can't maintain a 6-foot distance, too much to ask of everyone? Wearing a mask is uncomfortable, but it doesn't keep you from breathing, as Commissioner Bradshaw suggests.

I am sympathetic with the clerks and others who have to wear a mask for hours and we thank them so much. The sooner they can take those masks off, the better. That will be when we all wear them as mandated so that we can get through this nightmare together by helping each other. Rather than defund the PHD, we should give them more funds.

JILL TRICK

Sandpoint