Advertise
Contact
Forms
EEdition
Freeman Courier


  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • Photos
    • Photos Of The Day
    • Photo Galleries
  • South Dakota News Watch
  • Archives
    • More Archives
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Obituaries
    • Photos
      • Photos Of The Day
      • Photo Galleries
    • South Dakota News Watch
    • Archives
      • More Archives
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
EDITORIAL:
Freeman Courier
opinion
By News Staff  
March 12, 2020

EDITORIAL: Science and facts, not political posturing, should drive the coronavirus discussion

Our opinion: There’s a lot we don’t know about the coronavirus outbreak, but using the new disease as a pawn on the political chessboard isn’t good for anybody.

Everyone seems to be talking about coronavirus — COVID-19 — and with good reason. We’re all struggling to understand the impact on everything from an individual’s health to the global economy and everything in between.

But viewing this through a political prism is wasted energy and potentially dangerous at this time. Sadly, in our current political environment that some would call as toxic as the virus itself, everything, it seems, is seen from a tribal, partisan perspective. 

Sadly, the tension between the Trump Administration, Democrats and the news media too often becomes a distraction from the real issues at hand. That’s certainly the case with coronavirus. Little is gained as the American public struggles with this growing public health concern by blaming either the president for a weak response or the news media and Democrats for overreaction.

In the context of the uncertainty and fear in the general population, making this a political issue is irresponsible. Instead, we should focus on scientific evidence from trusted sources rather than ideologues with an political agenda. Listen to what health care experts have to say and follow their advice.

At this point, that is to be aware, cautious, diligent and calm.

Here’s what the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is offering as background about COVID-19:

Based on what is currently known about the novel coronavirus and similar coronaviruses that cause SARS and MERS, spread from person-to-person with these viruses happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. On the other hand, transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented. Transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through fomites. Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.

The symptoms don’t appear to be very specific, but they can initially seem similar to a cold or the flu (think: fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing). Call your doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms and have been around an infected person or someone who has traveled to an area that has been significantly affected.

Most cases seem to be mild. But the elderly and those with conditions like heart and lung disease, diabetes and compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable.

This is what the CDC is suggesting:

Promote the daily practice of everyday preventive actions. Use health messages and materials developed by credible public health sources such as your local public health department or CDC to encourage your event staff and participants to practice good personal health habits. Promote everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

And here are some basic things that everyone can and should do.

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds

• Use hand sanitizer between washes

• Avoid handshakes

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

• Cough and sneeze into your elbow, not your hands

• Stay home if you’re sick

• Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick

• Get a flu shot (to generally protect your immune system)

No one knows how this is going play out and what impact we’ll feel locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

But, as noted earlier, let’s not get caught up in the distraction of all the political noise. Pay attention to what the established medical community has to offer and then take responsibility for yourself and those around you. You can read a statement from Freeman Regional Health Services on page 3A of this week’s Courier.

 

The Courier editorial reflects the opinion of Jeremy Waltner and Tim L. Waltner

 

Related Posts
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store


Editor’s Picks
Most Read
AREA WIDE CONNECTION TO CEASE OPERATION JULY 1
news
AREA WIDE CONNECTION TO CEASE OPERATION JULY 1
By Jeremy Waltner 
June 11, 2025
The Area Wide Connection, a free-distribution advertising publication of Second Century Publishing, Inc. that serves residents of Hutchinson, Turner a...
this is a test
FOR GOOD
news
FOR GOOD
By Jeremy Waltner 
June 18, 2025
Freeman 39-year-old recognized nationally for her work as an adoption specialist with the Children’s Home Society of South Dakota — but this is not ab...
this is a test
PHOTO OF THE DAY: DEVASTATING ANNIVERSARY
photo day
PHOTO OF THE DAY: DEVASTATING ANNIVERSARY
By Jeremy Waltner 
June 8, 2025
This photo was posted by Swan Lake Christian Camp on its Facebook page on Sunday along with the following explanation. Yesterday, June 7, 1965, marked...
this is a test
ALL IN THE FAMILY
news
ALL IN THE FAMILY
By Jeremy Waltner 
July 1, 2025
Forty-two years ago, his Grandpa Ted took over Ferd’s Market and renamed it Ted’s Market. Ten years after that, his dad, Bob, took over Ted’s Market a...
this is a test
PHOTO OF THE DAY: TACO TIME!
photo day
PHOTO OF THE DAY: TACO TIME!
By Jeremy Waltner 
June 13, 2025
Armando Cortez is enjoying the beautiful Friday morning and one of his passions — cooking — at his home at 300 S. Dewald in Freeman. Cortez is serving...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Freeman Courier

Stay tuned with us

Accessibility Policy
Privacy
Forms

Copyright © Freeman Courier. All rights reserved.