August 10, 2020
An Open Letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan
Posted on Responsible Community
Dear Governor Whitmer,
The covid-19 testing infrastructure in the County of Oakland, the State of Michigan, across the nation and by private organizations is deplorable. High level people and organizations can get test results in a few hours. But, the rest of us the results take 3 to ten days.
Yes, ten days. Little good that does. I could just wait out the time to see if any of the symptoms present themselves. Or be dead before test results come back.
I am writing to express my deep frustration at the covid-19 testing problems with common people living in Oakland County, the State of Michigan, and the United States.
To start, there is a pandemic of the convid-19 virus in the country. There is no doubt in my mind. Everyone who knows science and medicine has said there is a pandemic. My personal doctor, county health officials, state health officials and national health officials all agree. People with the virus at the very least, miss work and experience great discomfort. But, for every person that experience light symptoms there are hundreds that are hospitalized, are left with debilitating physical conditions after recovery and there are thousands that die.
Prevention, testing, isolation, and contact tracing is the process to stem the growth and ultimately the collapse of the covid-19 pandemic. Each step must be followed by everyone and they should all work together. If testing is near useless, the other tools must work harder to solve this pandemic.
Governor, I am impressed with the way that you are handling the pandemic in the state. Your Executive Orders and Declaration of Emergency are the reason we are not in the crisis that states like Florida and Texas are experiencing. All the actions that you have taken from the Executive Orders are helping to prevent the virus from spreading faster. Please continue your brave actions.
Additionally, I know testing is not entirely the problem of the county or the state. This issue should be coordinated by the Federal Government. But, sadly for those that have died, those that have contracted the virus and are suffering debilitating issues, those that have lost time from family and those have missed work, the Federal Government, the Trump Administration, has done little to nothing.
Testing is also a personal issue to me and is very important. First, I am a “frontline” worker. I have been employed the entire time at a hardware store. At least 30% of the people that come to the hardware store are in the at-risk category. They are primarily people over 60 years of age. It would be terrible if I were the reason someone caught the virus.
Second, my family and close relations are immune compromised. This places them in a very vulnerable class for the adverse effects from the virus.
Finally, I am a 68-year-old man with some health issues that could heighten the effects of the virus.
Over the last month I have had at least 6 covid-19 tests done at the Oakland County Health Department and by Rite Aid testing program. While there was twice when the results came back very quickly, in just two days, all other times it was in some cases a ten day wait before results were reported. This is much too long for the testing to have any value. Even two days is too long when I am working everyday with people that I could unwittingly pass on the virus.
The testing must come back in just a few hours just like it does for politicians and corporate people. There is no reason that “important people” are any more important than everyday people that the “important people” are supposed to be protecting.
We are having a difficult time with the pandemic and with the political atmosphere in the country. There are plenty of issues on the list that need the attention of leadership. But, the way to stem the increase in the number of people with the virus is to test and get quick results so that the other steps of isolation and contact tracing can be effective.
I am asking for your help for all of us.
Sincerely,
Morris Hagerman
Democratic Precinct Delegate, Royal Oak 21st
1847 Chester # 12
Royal Oak, Michigan 48073-1944
248-854-8440
morrishagermanhome@gmail.com
c.c. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator Gary Peters, Representative Andy Levin, State Senator Mallory McMorrow, State Representative Jim Ellison, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, Oakland County Commissioner Dave Woodward
