Don M. Huber
Professor Emeritus, Purdue University
9322 Big Foot Road
Melba, Idaho 83641
Dear Governor Little,
The 15 day continued violation of our Constitutional rights is NOT ACCEPTABLE!!! The covid-19 data doesn’t support the drastic actions taken. The measures were initially implemented because we were ignorant and needed to exercise the Precautionary Principle in anticipation that our medical resources would be overwhelmed. They would only reduce an anticipated potential increase in cases and extend the pandemic, but at a slower pace. The data we now have does NOT support any extension/suspension of our Constitutional Rights and liberty.
There is absolutely NO REASON why we can’t safely and responsibly open our economy right now and beat covid-19 at the same time. Much of the data available to the public is based on flawed models that are compromised and corrupted to generate fear and destroy rational thinking. Where is valid data showing how many Idahoans are infected, recovered, immune or died from covid-19; and the benefit of a six-foot distance for an air-borne virus?
There is evidence that covid-19 was endemic in Idaho (Sun Valley, and Jackson Hole, WY) and documented in other parts of the U.S. by mid-November rather than mid-January. Epidemiologically relevant models for exponential spread commonly used to justify the drastic restrictions in Constitutional rights would therefore need to be moved two months earlier than the January 20 date commonly used, and indicate extensive establishment in the society by now. To get to Sun Valley, most international visitors fly into Boise. Although most people experience little or mild symptom expression, the limited number of people that experienced a more severe reaction in November and December (“Jackson Hole Crud”) and lingering, persistent cough could ‘chalk it up’ to just a more severe form of the common flu. Fatalities almost uniformly succumbed from underlying conditions. Epidemiologically, approximately 30 % of the population could have been exposed and recovered by the time the first individual case was documented in January, and 60 – 70 % by now, to approach the ‘curling’ phase of the epidemic/pandemic approaching ‘herd immunity’ suppression. Since only the sick are tested, the available data misses the most important component of the population that could return to school and work safely because of antibody response level. They would not spread the virus or be susceptible to it.
The oppressive restrictions you implemented are counter productive and do more damage than good, are unconstitutional, too late (after the horse is already out of the barn), and unnecessarily harsh for this disease. Their continued implementation intensifies the economic, physical, and social damage that is being done; and stretches out the severe infective period by decreasing ‘herd immunity.’
Remediation necessarily includes immediate removal of restrictions, encouragement of immune system support by diet and exposure to the sun, and getting back to school and work for morale and the economy. High-risk individuals should take special precautions to minimize exposure, and hospital personnel should be briefed on therapeutic responses (Vitamins A, C, and D-3, and I and Zn). The flu shot should be discouraged since it predisposes to covid-19 (Air Force study) – especially for the high-risk population. Individuals who are feeling sick should be encouraged to stay home until well and then move back to work or school. Parks, beaches, lakes and other outdoor recreation facilities should be opened immediately and individuals encouraged to enjoy the out doors in Idaho’s beautiful sunshine to generate critical levels of vitamin D-3 to bolster the immune system rather than hunkered down in the dark.
I have attached recommendations Dr. Shiva Aayadurai, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, provided President Trump for a more detailed recovery response applicable to Idaho. [Note: Dr. Aayadurai corrected this letter to state 1 g/day IV vitamin C rather than 100 g!]
This disease genie can’t be put back in the bottle! It will be with us for a long time, as will the consequences of our over-reaction to it. What will our reaction be this fall when the next ‘flu season’ arrives? What resources will we be able to take from other critical societal needs and muster for the fight – or will we already have squandered them fighting the windmill of covid-19 now?
The consequences of fear are economic and social disruption. Testing everyone to show the high level of immunity is one way to dispel much of the fear. Acknowledgement of the safe, effective therapies that are readily available now need more publicity as do the large number of fully recovered individuals that can’t catch or spread the virus, but can function to provide a semblance of normalcy and suppress covid-19 spread to non-infected individuals. We are currently doing the opposite!
We don’t need the cumbersome measures you imposed, as I believe adequate antibody testing will show.
Get Idaho back to school and work!
Don M. Huber, 9322 Big Foot Road, Melba, ID 83641
Dr. Don M. Huber is Emeritus Professor, Purdue University; COL(Ret.) US Army (Medical Intelligence, Biowarfare Sr. Analyst); Former Associate Director, Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center, Frederick, MD, now National Medical Intelligence Center; former Chairman, USDA National Plant Disease Recovery Program; member, US Threat Pathogens Committee; former member of the Advisory Board, Office of Technology Assessment, US Congress, now Congressional Research Service; and former member, Office of The Surgeon General Global Epidemiology Working Group.