Letter to the editor: Dealing with public health emergencies

We are faced with allowing the executive branch full powers to deal with public health emergencies. Before you decide if you agree with that, consider two things.

First, covid-19 is not the flu. It has already killed nearly 1 million Americans. Perhaps half of those hospitalized suffer serious, long-term health problems lasting months or even more: lack of energy, lung problems and brain damage, among others. You may think your chances of dying from covid are small. But how do you feel about spending months in a coma?

Second, the virus cannot be reasoned with. It will not be persuaded by political arguments. Some feel the government should not infringe on our freedom. But the virus couldn’t care less about our civil liberties. Our civil liberties exist to protect us from each other. Not from diseases.

Pandemics keep popping up, and the next one could be even worse. The Supreme Court, in its wisdom, thinks they should be dealt with by the states or by Congress. Good luck with that.

Robert Supansic

McKeesport