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This letter is in response to what Carol Bertelson wrote and was published on May 29 in regards to recalling Governor Walz.

Are you aware that the COVID-19 model was created over a weekend? Associate professor Marina Kirkeide (undergraduate degree in 2019) admits there was not time to validate the model to the degree that normally occurs. Professor Eva Enns states the model cannot be used to make highly accurate predictions (AlphaNews: “Minnesota COVID-19 models were created over one weekend partly by students”).

Use of this flawed model resulted in lost jobs. Elective surgeries were not allowed, which are the bread and butter of a hospital, resulting in laying off or furloughing hundreds of nurses. Small business owners have had their business closed and they are not allowed to file for unemployment. As for the federal money that was offered to small business, Governor Walz has made it impossible for business owners to benefit from this money because of the sustained shutdown.

Governor Walz has continued to control restaurants, gyms, haircuts, other small businesses and church gatherings. The methods include not letting the business open or by limiting the number of people in a place. As for school this fall, we do not know what the government will dream up. And finally the political process is affected because the various people running cannot hold rallies, town halls or meetings because of the 10-person limit.

Governor Walz has continued to dig himself in a hole by failing to call in the National Guard in a timely manner. As of June 2, (Minneapolis Star and Tribune), 308 businesses have been looted or destroyed. Walz’s lack of leadership really showed when he was busy throwing anyone he could find under the bus at the news conference on Friday, May 29. I could list more items illustrating the governor’s incompetence but will stop here.

In 1968 and 1969 the Hong Kong flu resulted in one million deaths worldwide, but the United States along with Minnesota remained open. Deaths from COVID-19 today are around 331,000, but the virus is not done. As of today in Minnesota 81% of all COVID-19 deaths have been nursing home residents. The governor really failed to protect the elderly but maybe you don’t include them in the list of lives you mention.

I do not understand why you want a governor making personal decisions for you. Minnesota has been held hostage by a poorly created COVID-19 model for 11 weeks, and there is no end in sight. The model creators acknowledge the model is flawed and inaccurate. Governor Walz continues to see himself as the sole power controlling what happens in Minnesota. That is not a democracy — it’s a dictatorship. It is time for recalling Governor Walz under malfeasance.

Lisa Holz

Glenville