In a continuing work to understand Gallatin Valley residents’ reactions to COVID-19 safety actions, almost nothing surpassed my dismay additional than then the new assaults on our community health and fitness officer Matt Kelley. An update, in case you have been hunkered in a COVID cave: A group of protesters have collected in entrance of Kelley’s property around the previous numerous times, boasting that the health and fitness department’s tireless perform during the pandemic has infringed on their personalized liberties. Spokespeople for the group have evinced their aims of “spreading flexibility,” denouncing pro scientific feeling. These voices loudly deny the peer-reviewed organic info that have been the cornerstone of the health and fitness department’s campaigns and public training platforms.
Acknowledging that public well being companies will perpetually contend with this sort of minorities of fringe ideologs, I was however even more distraught upon examining the nearly 400 Facebook responses to the Chronicle’s report of this travesty. Venomous, threatening and downright mendacious promises had been launched at Matt Kelley, with the sole intent of intimidation.
No 1 enters the public well being sector with illusions of building huge wealth, or even of getting community gratitude. Kelley has an impeccable resume in journalism, Peace Corp support and an MPH from John Hopkins. Thankfully for Bozeman, he observed an opportunity to elevate his loved ones in a neighborhood described by a society of supportiveness, whilst working with his enthusiasm and innovation in general public overall health to lead a very first-charge public well being crew.
I am a extended-time resident and previous small business owner in the Gallatin Valley and am presently pursuing a graduate diploma in community wellbeing. I am also a strong supporter of Matt Kelley and imagine he has introduced information-driven decisions to really hard questions even though giving community transparency and instilling community have confidence in. Bozeman, we need to have to stand up for science, Matt Kelley, and our local wellness office.
