To the Editor:

I would like to express my feelings regarding the recent articles about the death of my friend and co-worker, Kimberly B. Hays, that were in the Watertown Daily Times and the Ogdensburg Journal.

While I understand their alleged concerns about informing the public of the "rare" "flesh-eating bacteria", I feel they sensationalized the article to sell their papers. The headlines stating CHMC is "MUM" regarding the incident with the accompanying subtitle "flesh eating bacteria" are accusatory, misleading, alarming and inappropriate.

I am certain they cannot be ignorant to the consequences of their actions. The community of CHMC is running scared from this "monster" created by the journalistic shenanigans of the Johnson newspapers.

While necrotizing fasciitis indeed rarely seen, it is not like an Ebola epidemic. That spreads like wildfire through a population. And while the hospital is "Mum" on the issue, they are merely complying with HIPPA privacy laws.

I dearly miss my friend, Kim. What happened was tragic. But I cannot see where any "blame" can be laid. It was one of those bizarre things and she became the victim.

Now the paper is making us victims of their poor reporting practices. I am so tired of the world being shaped by a greedy media.

Thank you for listening,

Sharon Jo Miller RN

Gouverneur