Letters to the editor: COVID-19, transgender bills
Social distancing
In 10 days, Idaho has had its number of Covid-19 cases more than quadruple. The lack of stronger proactive measures from Governor Little has created a void that must be closed. it’s possible I am wrong, but it appears mandates are left to mayors. To my knowledge, only Mayor Lauren McLean has done what needs to be done statewide.
I am doing what I can to keep myself and others safe, but it’s frustrating and seems futile when I see restaurants still doing in-dining with more than 10 people. On a trip to a grocery store in Nampa, the parking lot of a local restaurant was full.
This crisis is difficult for everyone and it will become even more so. Isn’t it better to “suffer” for a shorter rather than longer time?
I am thankful for all those in the medical field battling this enemy. I am also thankful for the “essential workers” who are enabling us to still have a bit of normalcy.
Judy Yamamoto, Kuna
Child care
As a proud Idahoan, I have been deeply concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic. As an educator and as a Save the Children Action Network advocate, I have been specifically troubled by the virus’ impact on child care, whose services are crucial to our community. Due to COVID-19, child care centers must consider temporarily closing, but are faced with the real fear that they may not be able to open again when the virus subsides. In a recent survey of 6,000 child care providers, only 11% were confident they would be able to re-open without assistance after a closure of an indefinite amount of time. 47% of those surveyed said they would not be able to survive even a two week closure.
Therefore, I urge my members of Congress to support robust funding assistance for child care providers so child care programs can receive flexible funding to serve our community.
Our community must work together in this time of crisis. Child care providers are a critical piece of the community, both now and in the future.
Helga Frankenstein, Boise
Gov. response
Regarding the Statesman’s front page editorial on Sunday, March 22, I wish to disagree. Gov. Little is spot-on when he refuses to blanket-close all businesses and have everyone shelter-in-place due to the coronavirus. Idaho is a place where people do not want government telling them what to do. Thinking of others is a characteristic of most folks in Idaho, so that the risk of spreading the virus on a personal level is lower here than in many other places (although I believe Americans in general are that way in times of crisis). Having government assume there is too much risk and make policies and edicts in anticipation of, but not a certainty of, a catastrophe, is over the top. In those cases, government does not trust the folks who elected them-I wonder if the voters realize this. Please note there is an extensive list of closures in the Sunday edition. As folks in the Treasure Valley and elsewhere have assessed their risk and learned from other places, they have made decisions that have resulted in sacrifices mostly to themselves. No government using from-on-high edicts will have the same effect on the populace.
David Panzer, Meridian
Transgender bills
As a former Idaho resident but frequent visitor to the state, I was appalled at the Idaho Legislature’s passage of what can only be called the Transgender Discrimination Act. What next — reinstate segregation? Those legislators who supported this clearly unlawful bill appear to have forgotten their oath of office to support the Constitution and uphold the laws of the United States. Shame on you!
Ted Gathe, Vancouver, Washington