SC organizations issue open letter in support of DHEC doctor Linda Bell
A dozen South Carolina organizations, ranging from medical groups to academic societies to a church, have signed on to an open letter supporting Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health and Environmental Control, amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Burnett Gallman, a Columbia-area physician, told The State his motivation for drafting the letter and circulating it for organizations to sign on to was a feeling that Bell’s warnings about COVID-19 were not being given enough attention.
Bell has been a regular figure at many of Gov. Henry McMaster’s press conferences about the pandemic’s spread in South Carolina over the past several months. She also has spoken out on several occasions about the need for more widespread mask wearing and social distancing to curb the spread of the virus in the Palmetto State.
But Bell has split with McMaster on occasion, saying a statewide mandate requiring masks to be worn in public spaces would be effective, while McMaster has declined to issue such an order, instead saying cities and towns should do so.
And in June emails uncovered by The State, Bell told the governor’s office that his staff was “somewhat manipulative,” using her presence at a press conference to imply she supported McMaster’s decision to allow indoor dining to resume in early May, ahead of DHEC recommendations.
The open letter issued Tuesday references those clashes.
“Dr. Bell’s advocacy for prevention measures that will save lives has been consistent since the announcement of the outbreak and her advice has echoed that of the established national and international experts,” the letter reads. “Her recommendations to wear masks, avoid large crowds, practice social distancing, and perform frequent handwashing are all we have without proven treatment or an effective vaccine. However, her advisements have apparently been met with resistance. As a result, we are seeing a rise in positive cases, more deaths and an increasing impact on our healthcare system and our citizens.”
Of the 12 organizations who have signed the letter, the majority are centered on issues affecting the Black community. Gallman told The State he is hoping to have more groups sign on but started with organizations where he knew leaders, who then canvassed their membership.
“I want to let it be known that a large part of the community, not just the black community, but also the white community, support her, and we’d like to see her recommendations be heeded and we’d like to see her play a more prominent part in this whole thing that’s going on,” Gallman said.
As of Wednesday, 107,274 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state have been reported by DHEC, including more than 60,000 since the start of July. There have also been 2,248 deaths related to the virus. In recent weeks, the number of new coronavirus cases reported daily has dropped from more than 2,000 to under 1,000.
The full text of the open letter is below:
Difficult times call for expert knowledge and prudent decisions in order to eradicate COVID-19
COVID-19 is one of the greatest challenges the United States has faced in its history. This global pandemic is adversely affecting our country economically, financially, psychologically and, more significantly our health. Many families have suffered the loss of loved ones due to complications from the coronavirus. Sadly, we do not have the pandemic under control. Thousands of people across the nation continue to die at alarming rates.
For South Carolinians, there is no better or more trusted voice than that of Dr. Linda Bell, our State Epidemiologist with the Department of Health and Environmental Control. She has stood firm, relying on her medical and public health training and experience to offer sound, science-based information to the citizens of our state. Her advisories on conditions on the ground and recommendations for stopping the spread of the virus are extremely important as we combat this public health emergency that has significantly altered our lives.
Dr. Bell’s advocacy for prevention measures that will save lives has been consistent since the announcement of the outbreak and her advice has echoed that of the established national and international experts. Her recommendations to wear masks, avoid large crowds, practice social distancing, and perform frequent handwashing are all we have, without proven treatment or an effective vaccine. However, her advisements have apparently been met with resistance. As a result, we are seeing a rise in positive cases, more deaths and an increasing impact on our healthcare system and our citizens.
Until this public health challenge is contained, economic conditions will not return to normal. We should commend Dr. Bell for her courage and steadfast advocacy on behalf of the citizens of our state. She is the voice of wisdom for our health!
The organizations listed below represent the members of the community at large as well as the healing professions. We would all be derelict in our duties and irresponsible to our Oaths if we did not stand in support of Dr. Linda Bell and her advocacy for the optimal health and welfare of all South Carolinians. We call upon our elected leaders to listen to her wise recommendations. Although our leaders have responsibility for more than just public health, without health and life, economics and politics do not matter.
▪ The Palmetto Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association
▪ The Congaree Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association
▪ The. Charleston Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association
▪ The Columbia Chapter, Association of Black Social Workers
▪ The Kemetic Institute for Health and Human Development
▪ The Krst Universal Temple
▪ South Carolina Chapter, Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations
▪ Ubuntu Institute for Community Development
▪ South Carolina Progressive Network
▪ The Center for the Education and Equity of African American Students
▪ The South Carolina Organization of African Unity
▪ The South Carolina Council for African American Studies
This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 11:00 AM with the headline "SC organizations issue open letter in support of DHEC doctor Linda Bell."
