Letters to the editor: Salmon, abortion, politics, COVID-19, spraying

Hypocrisy

I do not understand how the same Idaho legislators who are so against legal abortions can remain in favor of faith healing for children and support parental choice for child vaccinations. Apparently it’s OK for parents to let their children suffer unnecessary illnesses to the point of death and to be a medical threat to our most fragile populations, but it’s not OK to let a woman choose if this is the right time in her life to birth a child.

I would rather you focused on fixing the problems we want fixed, like property taxes, school and prison funding, and a minimum wage increase.

Lori Poublon-Ramirez, Meridian

Salmon

As an angler, rafter, skier, and lover of wild Idaho, I am fortunate to frequent the beautiful and diverse landscapes supported by wild salmon. Everything I love about Idaho relies on the health of these fish — cold, clean rivers; lush riparian ecosystems; old forests; diverse food chains. We put these at risk by remaining passive in our policymaking.

This month’s federal study on dams and their relationship with salmon and steelhead falls short. The best available science tells us that plans in place won’t work to restore salmon and steelhead to a healthy number. With the status quo, our fish will go extinct.

Idahoans deserve a plan that strives to protect these keystone species. These fish play an integral role in Idaho’s economy, with towns like Riggins, Salmon and Orofino all depending on them. If this plan is inadequate for riverside communities, how will it honor our treaty obligations to indigenous tribes? If we are to restore our fish to a sustainable number, we must go beyond current plans. We need to put pressure on our elected officials to be leaders for salmon and steelhead by presenting bold, new solutions.

Our fish are running out of time. Act now.

Asa Menlove, Boise

Politics

I am almost 74 years old. For my entire life, old white men have been in charge. What a mess they have made and continue to make! I hope I live long enough to see women, young people, people of color move into positions of power and responsibility.

Lynne Mattison, Boise

Spraying

A bill is moving through our legislature in response to a pesticide drift incident that poisoned over a dozen people in Parma last Memorial Day weekend. This bill is being sponsored by the Idaho Agricultural Aviation Association to reduce regulation over their industry after a member was issued a regulatory letter.

The pilot sprayed a field while farmworkers in a neighboring field became ill. Lack of testing capability prevented a direct correlation from being established, but the Idaho State Department of Agriculture investigated and determined the crop duster should not have been spraying so close to a group of people regardless. Apart from responding to the letter in a sufficient manner to ensure human health is prioritized moving forward, no further action by the pilot was required. If passed, this bill would remove language that was quoted in the regulatory letter.

The other changes this bill proposes are redundant in light of the governor’s red tape reduction resolution which requires all rules be reviewed every five years. This terrible bill has already passed the House and is expected to be heard in the Senate Agriculture Committee soon. I urge concerned Idahoans to contact their senators to express their opposition.

Christina Stucker-Gassi, Boise

COVID-19

I hoped Idaho would take a proactive handling of COVID-19, unlike most states and European countries so far. Documentation shows that COVID-19 is spread through asymptomatic carriers. A carrier has remained asymptomatic for up to 21 days, and a few cases have shown as long as 27 days. However, we are acting as if there are no cases among us. No tests, no cases. (In three weeks, how many people does one person come into contact with, especially, a youth in school, or anyone working with the public?)

Knowing this is at our back door (really inside the door, as many children at a Jazz Festival with others from a known infected school), we should begin aggressive testing. If the tests aren’t yet available, we should strongly encourage self-quarantine for anyone who has traveled, until tests are available. Instead, we pretend it isn’t a problem. Should kids be in school? I do know the young aren’t facing may complications with this outbreak but those around them may not fare as well.

Let’s self-quarantine until we have the necessary tests and medical supplies available. It just might save a life.

Stacie Campbell, Boise