To the editor:

As I am composing this letter to the editor, a week before Memorial Day, it looks as though Minnesotans will observe that special holiday, due to restrictions proclaimed by government officials, in an abnormal manner. Supposing that we want to be good obedient citizens, will we succumb to the same procedure, if such is in place, come Independence Day?

When you are sworn in as a witness in court, you are basically asked if you will “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” How would such an oath stand up for the opposing beliefs of the COVID-19 situation? Are we being told the whole truth from each side? Are we, the sovereign citizens, and our local public officials, doing our own research to find out what is correct and truthful, or is the official line the only one we walk or talk? Have our government officials ever misled us, accidentally or purposefully, in the past? Why are we collectively reluctant to “Trust, but verify?”

When all of this is over (if that’s ever going to be possible), if total data about COVID-19, such as the number of people: 1) infected 2) seriousness of those who were infected 3) those who died primarily from COVID-19 (not skewed causes of death for monetary purposes), is not freely available, for the public to dissect, while respecting laws related to privacy, why should we believe these officials in the future?

On Nov. 18, 1783, William Pitt, the Younger (1759-1806), while giving a speech in the British House of Commons said: “Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.”

Leo R. Lindquist

Balaton