I read Rep. Greg DeVries’ Feb. 26 response to John Ilgenfritz’s criticism of his “budgetary stance.” I agree with Mr. Ilgenfritz. But after reading Mr. DeVries’ column I am very alarmed that he would endanger our health and safety to satisfy his myopic ideological agenda, especially with a very serious threat of the coronavirus now.
It would be foolish to believe that come April the coronavirus will miraculously disappear with warmer weather. In case the coronavirus becomes a true public health threat the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is necessary to protect us. It is essential because only that agency can provide statewide support to do the lab tests, inform the public, and coordinate information and efforts with other health agencies from local county public health offices to the CDC, etc.
Mr. DeVries is wishfully thinking that local churches or for-profit, private-sector entities have these capacities. Churches do not have the financial or individual resources and for-profit entities do not have the statewide and national networks, only operate when paid their price, and do not operate in a timely manner in situations such as this.
