Letters to the editor: Reopen, isolate, stand united, helping charities
Reopen
Please, Idaho leaders, open up our Idaho economy. The medical people are taking very good care of those sick with the coronavirus.
Now, please, take care of the healthy before we become sickened because of the loss of jobs, lack of medical and dental care for non-virus issues, depression, anxiety, poverty, loss of ability to feed our children, pay the rent, and save for the future. Take care of the healthy! Let us go back to work!
It is sickening to watch our American economy evaporate.
Katherine J. Wolff, Boise
Stay away
To those who protest the COVID-19 stay-at-home order:
You have a God-given right to live–and die — as you choose. Please feel free to associate closely with others at your rallies, breathing, coughing, sneezing, shaking hands, hugging. That’s free agency — it’s your choice.
But also, please confine your association to those of your tribe, and do not mingle with the rest of us. We do not wish to be contaminated by this “hoax” pandemic. That’s our free agency.
The attack on Pearl Harbor killed 2,403 Americans. The terrorist attack on 9-11 killed 2,977 people. The first COVID-19 death on American soil occurred on Feb. 29, 2020. As of this writing, seven weeks later, the American death toll from the virus stands at 42,514 people. Seven weeks.
Those of us who were honored to serve in the military, especially during wartime, can attest that, as soon as you relax your vigilance, as soon as you think you’ve turned the corner, as soon as you think your enemy is on the ropes, that is when you can expect a counterattack. It can be devastating–Battle of the Bulge, the Tet Offensive, to name just two. Never underestimate your opponent. It could be fatal.
John H. Eichmann, Command Senior Chief, USNR (Ret), Boise
Stand united
It’s confusing that in front of the camera our president stated it is the governors’ responsibility to determine when the states can again open, yet behind the scenes the president sent out tweets encouraging people to “liberate” their states from the “stay-at-home” order, and insinuating that the 2nd Amendment is “under siege.” What does that have to do with the “stay-at-home” order? Shouldn’t he be supporting all the people of the United States to unite against the pandemic, instead of inciting hatred against governors.
All Americans agree — no matter race, religion, or party — that we need to stand united to overcome the challenges that lay before us. God has given the world time to pause and determine what is important -- loving one another, not breeding discontent.
Kathie Merkling, Meridian
Charities
With so many charities being stretched the limit right now as a result of displacements caused by coronavirus, there is an extreme need by those being served. Perhaps if folks working from home or not driving as much as in the past were to donate part or all of the gasoline savings, we could meet part of the need. For example if someone typically drives 10 miles to work, that’s 100 miles per week in commuting. Assuming 20 miles per gallon, that’s 5 gallons. At a cost of $1.80/gallon that’s $9/week in gas. It’s even more if one adds in the reduced weekend and recreational driving. If folks were to pledge half of that to their favorite charity, it could go a long way to helping meet the shortfall we see in front of us.
David G. Decker, Eagle