Keep Illinois open

As a chemical engineer who spent nearly 30 years in the safety, sustainability and environmental fields supporting both the U.S. government and private industry here and abroad, I find it particularly disappointing that Gov. Pritzker says we should all "follow the science" as he unilaterally takes jobs away from the hardest-hit small businesses all in the name of COVID-19 protection.

We have followed the science particularly those among us who have dedicated most of our working lives and education looking at ways to mitigate risk and keep people healthy. The objective data produced by science clearly show that COVID-19 risks in no way justify the mental, physical and financial costs that are being shouldered once again by the good people of Illinois.

Our state government's reaction to the threats posed by COVID-19 has been more disturbing than the virus itself. Once the curve was clearly flattened and there was no significant threat to justify a continued shutdown, the state began to create a series of meaningless statistics with hard goals attached to them.

One of these ill-conceived metrics - "positivity rate" - is the latest flawed statistic being used to shut down bars and restaurants in pockets throughout the state. By design, this statistic massively overestimates true positivity rate and yet it is being relied upon to once again lay off thousands of hardworking people in Kane County alone.

We need to trust the science and our common sense that tells us that we are winning in our battle against this disease and trust the good people of Illinois to live their own lives. And we absolutely need to stop financially devastating the same people the government was formed to protect.

Gary Kruger

St. Charles