Thread by @StLukesAnita

🧵We need your help: @Stlukeshealth, along w/ @GovernorLittle, the heads of many Idaho businesses, other hospitals & experts who've worked to suppress COVID-19 are extremely concerned about pending legislation that could reverse the inroads we've made to defeat this pandemic.

https://twitter.com/StLukesAnita/status/1352999860727812097

2/ Senate Concurrent Resolution 101 would revoke Idaho's emergency declaration regarding the pandemic. @GovernorLittle came out strongly in opposition, saying ending the emergency declaration would make it more difficult/expensive to fight the virus. @StLukesHealth leaders agree.

3/ As members of the health care community, we know that we have a long way to go, but that we can restore elements of the Idaho life we all treasure if we continue to avail ourselves of the practices and resources needed to successfully suppress this virus.

4/ Conversely, it is hard to imagine what “normal” might look like if we do not bear down at this time, and the emergency declaration in Idaho continues to provide the means to do just that.

5/ Please, if you have the time and concern to make your opinion known, the Legislature needs to hear from you on this matter. You can find your legislators here to send your comments to them: legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/wh…

6/ If you already know who your legislators are, you can find their contact information here: teamiha.org/wp-content/upl…

7/ If you feel compelled, please consider writing a letter to your state senator to ask them to consider withdrawing the current proposed legislation that would end the emergency declaration covering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you.

8/ In addition to providing critical funding for the state, the emergency declaration provides essential tools for @StLukesHealth to fight this disease. Most important are resources to facilitate the distribution of lifesaving #COVID19vaccines.

9/ @StLukesHealth is deeply concerned any dilution of the emergency declaration may weaken access to lifesaving tools for Idahoans in times of need. Ending the emergency does nothing to end restrictions on activities that are in place because of state & local health rulings.

10/ In fact, emergency funding from fed. gov. comes w/ no requirements for public health restrictions. If real aim is to open up Idaho, that effort should be addressed through separate legislation that does not risk critical federal funding benefitting the state and its people.

11/ We all agree we want the pandemic to END, but greatly fear reversing course w/ the emergency declaration will create larger problems, delay return to normal. We need to focus on vaccinations. Victory over this pandemic is within our grasp if we stay the course.

12/ Please take a moment to let your state leaders know how you feel about this pending legislation and encourage them NOT to reverse the progress we have all made together to try and defeat this pandemic. teamiha.org/wp-content/upl… Thank you.