Dear Editor:

As the coronavirus slowly sifts its way through our community, it is becoming all too obvious that people in nursing homes, hospital workers, EMTs, police force, and anyone serving the public on a daily basis are most exposed and vulnerable. I am sure the folks who work in these jobs are very conscious of their exposure, each time they enter a business with cars parked outside containing an out-of-state license plate.

Apparently, 20% to 33% of our population can be asymptomatic once contracting the coronavirus. Which means these people may not even have enough symptoms to know that they are infected. Which is great! These individuals could possibly get the virus and get over it without even knowing they had it! Unfortunately, these same individuals are also unaware that they are contagious and able to infect others in Powell with the virus.

The number of positive cases in Wyoming is on the rise. Compared to Montana, which is almost twice the size in population of Wyoming, we actually have more identified positive cases here in our state. As we lower restrictions and increase human interaction (opening up our economy), we are slowly putting more and more of our community members at-risk of contracting the disease.

Thankfully, the number of positive cases (two) in Park County is low. The number of hospitalizations in our state (14) is also low. The number of deaths (17) is unfortunately catching up to the number (17) of deaths in Montana.

So, how do we manage our risks? Without a vaccine becoming available until this winter or next spring, how do we fight this disease? How do we keep the most vulnerable people in our small community safe? How can I attend church and not unknowingly infect my pastor/priest who will later visit the sick in our local hospital or nursing homes?

OK, 1) I will wash my hands often each day for 20 seconds, especially, after I have been out of my home and touching other peoples’ things; 2) I will wear a mask when I am out interacting with other people in our community; 3) I will keep from touching my eyes, nose, and mouth until after I sanitized my hands and wash them at home; 4) I will stay 6 feet away from other people when at the grocery store, post office, church, lumber yard, etc.

Deep down, I really don’t want to do these things. Washing my hands for 20 seconds takes too long! I think wearing a mask is stupid! Staying 6 feet away from everybody is just inconvenient and ridiculous!

Besides, I think I am perfectly safe in our little community here in Powell. Right? Yeah, I know what happened at the nursing home in Fremont County, in Casper and now at the nursing home in Worland just 90 miles away.

OK, I will take all the precautions! No, not for me! I am too tough, I am invincible, but I will do it for them. For the workers I might accidently expose who work at the hospital, the nursing home, EMTs, doctors, etc. Not that “I’m vulnerable,” but for those who are vulnerable in our community. Because it is the right thing to do!

Richard Hannon

Powell