A4 BAKER CITY HERALD • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2022
BAKER CITY
Opinion
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Baker City, Oregon
EDITORIAL
COVID death
toll doesn’t
quite add up
W
hen you read the details of Josh
Barnett’s story about trying to
right the record on his mother’s
apparent COVID-19-related death (Feb. 12
issue of the Baker City Herald), something
doesn’t add up.
But not from him — from the Oregon
Health Authority.
As far as we (and he) can tell, his
mother, Theresa Malec, who died in
mid-December 2021, is the woman listed
by the OHA as the 14th COVID-19-re-
lated death in Wallowa County.
His family is the first that we are aware of
in the county to refute COVID-19 having
a role in a loved one’s death. The death cer-
tificate, and Barnett, both state the cause of
Malec’s death was liver cancer.
Barnett offered to share the certificate
with the Wallowa County Chieftain. Follow-
ing an interview, he gave the newspaper per-
mission to publish the cause of death infor-
mation and that portion of the document.
And after looking at what was provided
by Barnett and speaking to him, and then
looking at what OHA has given, Barnett’s
case is much more compelling than the
state’s.
For one, Malec’s death occurred more
than four months after her positive COVID
test in August 2021. By Barnett’s account,
she had fully recovered from her bout with
the virus. Even OHA’s own documents say
for a death to be counted as COVID-related,
the time duration from an individual’s first
known positive test or symptom onset to
their passing must be no more than 60 days.
OHA also counts a COVID-19-related
death if the death certificate lists specific
COVID-related codes. Yet the death certif-
icate for Barnett’s mother has no such code
listed, and the only mention of her COVID
history on the document states there were
two negative tests.
(Interestingly, while it doesn’t seem to
apply here, the other criteria for a COVID-
19-related death is “Death from any cause
in a hospitalized person during their hos-
pital stay or in the 60 days following dis-
charge and a COVID-19-positive labora-
tory diagnostic test at any time since 14
days prior to hospitalization.” Does that
not strike anyone as odd?)
To be fair, we cannot be 100% certain that
the woman in the OHA report is Malec, as
OHA has not — and said it cannot — pro-
vide identifying information. The agency
also could not confirm if Barnett’s mother,
when given her name, was the individual.
And yes, Barnett said it was OK for us to ask
the OHA that question, as well.
But when you look at the timeline for
Malec’s death and consider her age is the
same as listed in the OHA report, in a
county as small as Wallowa County it’s
pretty easy to put two and two together.
More details are needed to get to the
bottom of this particular case, but at the
moment, Malec’s passing — and Barnett’s
account and document — raises some se-
rious questions about the validity of OHA’s
data in this case, and could weaken its
overall credibility.
This is not to discredit the losses felt by
people who have been severely impacted
by COVID. The virus has killed more than
900,000 people in the U.S. and more than
6,000 in Oregon.
But as you look a little deeper into OHA’s
data, it’s clear something does not add up.
Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the
Baker City Herald. Columns, letters and
cartoons on this page express the opinions of
the authors and not necessarily that of the
Baker City Herald.
OTHER VIEWS
Congress needs to unite behind
China competetiveness bill
Editorial from The Seattle Times:
Under the shadow of growing tensions
with Beijing, the U.S. House of Representa-
tives has approved a bill that would help the
United States remain economically competi-
tive with China. It will now need to be recon-
ciled with similar legislation that passed the
Senate last year.
Congress must not allow partisan squab-
bles to scuttle this vital proposal.
Republicans, who supported the U.S. Sen-
ate’s United States Innovation and Competi-
tion Act, have so far turned their back on the
House version, known as the America COM-
PETES Act, saying the bill includes unaccept-
able provisions related to labor, foreign policy
and climate change.
While differences exist — and their mer-
its are worth debating — both bills promise
to fund the critical need to address sup-
ply-chain vulnerabilities and increase com-
puter chip production in the U.S. They also
include a major investment in ensuring
America’s place as the leader in scientific re-
search and innovation.
These similarities should be the focus,
said U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.,
who heads the Senate Committee on Com-
merce, Science and Transportation. Both
bills call for a $52 billion investment in the
semiconductor industry, about $160 bil-
lion for research and development agencies
such as the National Science Foundation
and the Department of Energy, as well as
funding to reduce STEM workforce gaps.
“This would be the largest five-year com-
mitment to public R&D in our nation’s his-
tory,” Cantwell said. “We need it for the job
growth. We need it to stay competitive.”
The legislation would also create some
manufacturing jobs in the U.S., but the
benefit to American workers may be
strongest in improved protection from
global market volatility, said Jeffrey Kucik,
an associate professor at the University
of Arizona.
“It’s about insulating the domestic mar-
ket from unpredictable global forces,” he
said. “Whether that’s the pandemic, or the
Great Recession, or shocks associated with
the escalation of the U.S.-China trade war.”
For their part, Chinese officials have re-
peatedly labeled these legislative efforts as
the product of a “Cold War mentality.”
It was ironic, then, to see President Xi
Jinping of China and Russian President
Vladimir Putin warmly meet on the side-
lines of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Even more so was their joint statement,
which sent a message of cooperation be-
tween the two countries not seen since Jo-
sef Stalin and Mao Zedong.
Their statement, which includes support
for each other’s foreign policies, under-
lines the precarious situation surrounding
existential threats to Ukraine and Taiwan.
It also underlines the need for Congress
to act.
These bills are not about viewing the
U.S. relationship with China as a Cold War
zero-sum game. They are smart efforts to
ensure America remains competitive. How-
ever, in working together, Republicans and
Democrats can send their own message of
unity in the face of global challenges.
ogize to all that attended the meeting and
were subjected to his screaming tirade about
things he just doesn’t like. I respect your de-
Feb. 2, 2022, I made the usual effort to at- cision to request law enforcement as you had
tend a Baker County Commission meeting. no idea as to how far he was willing to push
Ordinarily the meetings are mundane, but
his personal political agenda.
I always manage to absorb some new in-
I also believe he should apologize to you
formation when I attend. I was left stunned
and every Baker citizen for taking up our
by actions from Commissioner Nichols at
valuable time and newspaper space with
this meeting.
such ridiculous unfounded nonsense. He
On the 2nd, during “citizen participation,” obviously is using this incident as a very
Mr. Curtis Martin brought some of his con- lame excuse to draw attention to his extreme
cerns to the commission. The discussion at
views and show his personal dissatisfac-
times was very enthusiastic from both sides tion with you not kowtowing to his agenda.
of the table, this is to be expected when peo- Me thinks BCU might be helping direct his
ple engage and disagree. I found it very invig- “flabbergasted scurrilous appalling outra-
orating and hope others in attendance would geous shock!?”
agree. OK, at some point Commissioner
That he was never “treated so shameful-
Nichols, fearful of an insurrection, called for ly”and you “besmirched his character” is be-
security. The need for security to protect the yond laughable. Thank you for your vigilance
commissioners from Mr. Martin? There was and watching out for the safety of all. Give
no apparent reason to request security other this man nothing.
than to possibly intimidate Mr. Martin, or
Mike Meyer
anyone else wishing to voice discontent.
Baker City
All should feel offended by Commissioner
Nichols reaction. Actions such as this, against County GOP should ask for refund
the electorate, discourages needed dialog;
from McQuisten campaign
conversation alerts local representatives on
issues important to constituents. The entire
According to ORESTAR, on November
exchange between Mr. Martin and commis- 29, 2021, the Baker County Republican Party
sioners Harvey and Bennett, was instigated
(BCRP) donated $2,500 to the gubernatorial
one way or another, from COVID. Freedom campaign of Kerry McQuisten. This appears
of choice, regardless of political affiliation,
to be a violation of Oregon State Republican
should bind this community and country.
Party (ORP) Bylaws which codify the equal
Commissioner Nichols needs to consider
treatment of all Republican candidates in a
an apology not only to Mr. Martin, but also
primary. In order to rectify this illegal trans-
include those at the meeting, for his overre-
action and avoid serious financial liability
action.
(paying all Republican governor candidates
Wanda Ballard $2500), BCRP must ask for a refund from the
Baker City gubernatorial campaign of Kerry McQuisten.
Susan Bland
Speaker at commission meeting
Baker City
terest of church leaders to use the devotion
page. I’ve been reading and watching TV on
what to do about all these mass shootings
that no one seems to have any real answer
to. More background checks, more mental
health checks, more and more laws that bad
people pay no heed to. The big one, more
restrictive gun laws. Ever heard of the open
car trunk? Really, none of this has ever
stopped anyone with this kind of a devilish
desire in their thinking. As a Bible student
and believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
I would suggest a Biblical answer to what is
happening.
Jesus said things like now would happen
when people forsake God in their lives and
turn from their faith and go chasing after
strange ways (abortion). Read II Cor. 4:4.
We are in the last days and this is happen-
ing. Hate, jealousy, sex, the decline in mo-
rality. All can be an open door to demonic
spirits that will direct you to do things you
would not do normally. Has the Church
forgotten that Satan is still leading people
into hell. It’s not guns. Guns do nothing on
their own. It’s people who let demons into
their lives by their lifestyle and lack of un-
derstanding of the Word. The Bible calls it
demon possession.
I suggest three good studies on this be-
fore you think me crazy. Dr. Lester Sum-
rall’s book, “Unprovoked Murder, Insanity
or Demon Possession.” Also, “101 Questions
and Answers on Demon Power.” And Joyce
Meyer tape teaching, “Closing the Door to
Satanic Attack.” Most mental doctors won’t
find any of these or they don’t believe or
know what to look for. I’ve had a few expe-
riences in this area myself. Some fault lays at
the door of many churches who teach God’s
love (rightly so) but forget to teach the be-
liever their authority over devils (evil spirits).
God can and will put a stop to satanic attack
if we will go back to believing his Word. Read
II Tim. 3: 1-4, I Tim. 4:1-2, Gal. 5:19-21.
Richard Fox
Baker City
YOUR VIEWS
Nichols’ request for security was an
overreaction
doesn’t deserve apology
Dear Commissioner Nichols: This Curtis
Martin character deserves no apology from
you or anyone. If anything he needs to apol-
Solution to mass shootings isn’t more
restrictive laws
I’m using this letter because of lack of in-
CONTACT YOUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS
President Joe Biden: The White House,
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C.
20500; 202-456-1111; to send comments,
go to www.whitehouse.gov.
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley: D.C. office: 313
Hart Senate Office Building, U.S. Senate,
Washington, D.C., 20510; 202-224-3753; fax
202-228-3997. Portland office: One World
Trade Center, 121 S.W. Salmon St. Suite
1250, Portland, OR 97204; 503-326-3386;
fax 503-326-2900. Baker City office, 1705
Main St., Suite 504, 541-278-1129; merkley.
senate.gov.
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden: D.C. office:
221 Dirksen Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C., 20510; 202-224-5244;
fax 202-228-2717. La Grande office: 105
Fir St., No. 210, La Grande, OR 97850; 541-
962-7691; fax, 541-963-0885; wyden.
senate.gov.
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (2nd District): D.C.
office: 1239 Longworth House Office
Building, Washington, D.C., 20515, 202-225-
6730; fax 202-225-5774. Medford office: 14
N. Central Avenue Suite 112, Medford, OR
97850; Phone: 541-776-4646; fax: 541-779-
0204; Ontario office: 2430 S.W. Fourth Ave.,
No. 2, Ontario, OR 97914; Phone: 541-709-
2040. bentz.house.gov.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown: 254 State
Capitol, Salem, OR 97310; 503-378-3111;
www.governor.oregon.gov.
Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read:
oregon.treasurer@ost.state.or.us; 350 Winter
St. NE, Suite 100, Salem OR 97301-3896;
503-378-4000.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen F.
Rosenblum: Justice Building, Salem, OR
97301-4096; 503-378-4400.
Oregon Legislature: Legislative documents
and information are available online at
www.leg.state.or.us.
State Sen. Lynn Findley (R-Ontario):
Salem office: 900 Court St. N.E., S-403,
Salem, OR 97301; 503-986-1730. Email: Sen.
LynnFindley@oregonlegislature.gov
State Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane): Salem
office: 900 Court St. N.E., H-475, Salem,
OR 97301; 503-986-1460. Email: Rep.
MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov