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Letter: Utah throws the dice on coronavirus

(Steve Griffin | Deseret News, pool) Gov. Gary Herbert listens to a question as he stands with Dr. Angela Dunn, state epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health, during the daily COVID-19 briefing at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

(Steve Griffin | Deseret News, pool) Gov. Gary Herbert listens to a question as he stands with Dr. Angela Dunn, state epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health, during the daily COVID-19 briefing at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

Instead of fully funding testing, contact tracing, small businesses and higher unemployment benefits, our governments have chosen to throw the dice and see what happens.

The results are in: The largest number of new cases in Utah in a single day was reported last Friday, the second largest yesterday, one month after opening up all businesses, etc. Fewer people are wearing masks and less are social distancing with more elderly and other vulnerable people at risk of dying.

Everyone seems to agree it's time to throw grandma under the bus.

I guess old folks are expendable at the altar of commerce. I would happily have my taxes go to support businesses, working families, etc., to stay closed and at home through this pandemic to finally flatten the curve. What higher use can there possibly be for our collective money?

Lynn Martinez, Brigham City

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