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North Carolina state Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Chocowinity) said on Facebook that if the analysis he received in a letter from HEALNC advocating to reopen the economy to save lives is true, then "it's time to get back to work." 

The crux of the HEALNC letter from May 17 is that while COVID-19 causes deaths and illness, society will see more loss of life as a result of the coronavirus restrictions from unemployment, suicide and not addressing other personal health issues. The organization also wrote that COVID-19 restrictions have led to increases in domestic violence, child abuse and depression.  

"Historically, 'deaths of despair' caused by increases in the unemployment rate have been shown to far overshadow the predicted mortality rates from COVID-19 models," HEALNC writes in the open letter, which it also calls on people to send this letter to public officials and other key or influential individuals and organizations. "In an ongoing study, beginning in the 1940s, data consistently shows that a 1% increase in extended unemployment correlates to an increase in our nation's mortality rate by approximately 58,000 people per point." 

In March, the unemployment rate increased to 4.4%, the letter states. While flattening the curve is important, many factors aren't being taken into consideration during the pandemic. 

"Violence at home is on the rise with victims trapped with their abusers due to stay-at-home orders," the letter states. "More children are calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline with reports of abuse that is escalating in frequency and severity. Suicide rates are predicted to rise dramatically due to the direct correlation between unemployment rates and suicide."

HEALNC wrote the best way to save lives is by reopening the economy and allowing people to decide to self-quarantine. 

"By advocating for self-quarantine of high-risk categories, we protect the truly vulnerable," the letter states. "This allows low risk, healthy children and adults to get back to school and their jobs preventing vast segments of the economy from collapsing" 

The organization wrote that if the COVID-19 plan continues it "ensures death to many." 

Fewer people are going to "hospitals to get check for heart conditions, kidney conditions and so on," Kidwell wrote on Facebook. "So unless you think Corona cured cancer and heart disease in the United States we're going to see a marked increase in the number of people who died as a result of not getting appropriate treatment."