People who are pro-business wear masks so our COVID-19 case rate is low enough for us to safely open more businesses, open schools to in-person learning, and much more.

The Sept. 17 Skagit Valley Herald had another great article by Brendan Stone but it has a misleading title.

Stone reports on the local GOP’s choice to ignore public health and safety guidelines for their fundraising event.

The headline suggests there are no new COVID-19 cases from the GOP event.

With attendees ignoring public health guidelines, I am not surprised that they might not want to report that they or a family member were at the GOP event.

I especially noted candidate Bruch, who seems not to know that masks prevent COVID-19 transmission of the virus and who admits that he does not trust state and local public health officials.

Since he is ignoring science and facts, I wonder who he does trust.

I have known Dr. Leibrand since shortly after I came to the valley to practice medicine over 15 years ago. He has always been thoughtful, meticulous and conscientious in his public health work. I trust him completely.

We need elected officials who believe in science and facts to get us through the pandemic and to revive our economy. The GOP and their selective, this does not apply to us, mentality are poor choices as the rest of us do the right things. They are welcome to join us, but they will have to step back into the real world where science and facts are used to solve problems.

They have showed the rest of us they are not up to the real work of dealing with the virus and the economy.

Peggy Bissell, M.D.

Bow