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More on COVID-19

To the editor:

I am writing in response to Kari (Nelson) Gleisner’s April 21 Letter to the Editor. I both like and respect Kari a great deal. (Don’t worry Kari, no offense intended, none taken.)

I did indeed (incorrectly) refer to Knut Wittkowski as a former Professor at Rockefeller University. I regret my mistake. Rockefeller University did issue a disclaimer distancing themselves from Mr. Wittkowski saying he was NOT a professor at the University. They DID say he was formerly employed as a “biostatistician” (epidemiologist). Apparently Knut spent 35 years of his life in his chosen field of study. Oddly enough it would seem Governor Walz is conferring with people like Knut in Walz’s “models” on COVID 19. I suppose it’s possible to find opposing views on both sides of the aisle on how to handle this epidemic. I agree with Knut.

I have spent 38 years since high school graduation in pork production. Yes Kari, I do know a thing or two about “Biosecurity” in the hog industry. I will tell you that I am Pork Quality Assurance Plus Certified by the National Pork Board, and I can claim at least one Veterinarian as a friend. (Insert smile here.) I suppose it can’t hurt to accept a few pointers and tips on hog Biosecurtiy from a former classmate. I would agree that disease prevention is the preferred route. Often times the hardest thing for a pork producer to do is to admit that Biosecurity has been breached. In the case of COVID-19 Biosecurity was breached. What we do in the aftermath of disease outbreak (hogs or humans) is sometimes a matter of personal preference.

My hogs occasionally get the flu. It hits fast and hard. Not much I can do but try to keep the pigs warm and comfortable, and maybe give them some aspirin. Within days it’s over. Usually within a week or two, you’d never know the survivors were sick. Mortalities? Yes. But it’s over, and life goes on. Viruses that mutate are exasperating. The hog industry has been fighting a mutating virus (PRRS) for years. COVID-19 hasn’t mutated (yet). The longer we allow COVID-19 to hang around, the greater the chance it could mutate. I prefer the head on approach. One and done. I have asthma (at-risk), so don’t try to tell me I’m insensitive. Testing for COVID-19 is a joke. Any group of people (packing plant employees, card club members, church goers, family members, team mates, etc.) will predictably produce positives and negatives. A waste of time, effort, and money. SET US FREE Governor Walz. And yes, in case anyone was wondering, my knee still hurts.

Paul Platz

Lafayette

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