Letters to the editor: Day cares, preparedness, trickle down, elected officials, donating

Day cares

I was on one of my daily walks today, and came across a day care on Orchard that not only was in operation but kids were playing together with their caretaker outside. It made me realize that the parents of these kids are still working, possibly getting exposed to the virus in their jobs, they bring those germs home to their families and then their kids go off to day care the next day. The kids all share their germs and those germs go home to every child’s family, and the exposure is repeated. I would have thought day cares would be closed as part of the governor’s shelter in place. Should they be open? So many people are doing so much to “flatten the curve,” but the gathering of children at day cares seems to go against the spirit of the directive.

Nancy Moore, Boise

Preparedness

In 1939, the federal government established the Manhattan Project to create a tool to end a war.

In 2018 the federal government dissolved the office of pandemic preparedness (Global Health Security and Biodefense).

And left it to the pharmaceutical industry.......

Stephen Asher, Boise

Donate

We have seen many recessions, but nothing like our current economic crisis. The sudden, deep job losses are unprecedented. It is devastating to imagine a young family struggling with basic necessities (food, shelter, diapers, and utilities), while having no idea when the parents might find work again.

I urge all of us who can to donate to organizations that can help alleviate this suffering. While federal help is on the way, this may take months. The need is immediate.

I was able to go online and get an estimate of the check I will receive. My income hasn’t been affected by the crisis, so I can easily give that amount to help keep others afloat. Anyone who has the means to donate should do so right away.

There are many options. The Idaho Foodbank makes sure people have the most basic need of all. The Boise Schools Education Foundation has a Student Aid Fund for Emergencies to assist families who have been impacted economically. Jesse Tree helps people stay in their homes.

We can weather this if we prioritize taking care of each other. Your gift could make a huge difference in the life of a family. Please don’t wait.

Michael Smith, Boise

Trickle down

Given the Trump administration’s and Jared Kushner’s explanation of how federal emergency stockpiles are supposed to be distributed; we see how the trickle-down economy really works. The middle class taxpayer sends all the resources to the top, and then the top decides to keep it all to themselves. Pretty much the way corporations and the rich are able to avoid taxes under the guise that those savings will somehow make their way down the food chain.

Long past time to make fundamental changes to the current tax burden distribution and abandon this failed snake oil economic theory. America is most strong when the middle class is growing and thriving, not the 1%. Hopefully this next election starts that process. Vote your pocketbooks first, any of the other divisive issues we debate (guns, climate change, rights, abortion etc.) are so much noise compared to the economic survival of the middle class.

Kevin Klein, Boise

Elected officials

Having just read the Idaho Statesman article (“Stay home,” April 5) I conclude that there is something far more dangerous lurking about my state then the coronavirus issue...….. the mindset of certain North Idaho elected officials regarding this potentially deadly event. Surely, we can place better educated personnel in those positions at the next election.

Ben House, Eagle