Letters to the editor: Outrage, bike bar, restrictions
Outrage
Our country is a country full of addicts. And no, I’m not just talking about people that are addicted to drugs or alcohol. It seems pretty apparent to me that many people in our country are addicted to outrage and are addicted to being angry. Does anyone know that feeling you get when you know you’re right about something? I’m sure dopamine is being released in your brain when that happens. So in this sense, the more outrage or anger you experience, the more dopamine you get from being “right.” Social media and the 24-hour news cycle has created a world in which getting that next fix is incredibly easy. They have also predicated their entire business models on fueling as much outrage as possible so that you will spend as much of your time as you possibly can on their platforms. That’s the reason why Facebook/Instagram and Twitter got rid of their chronological feeds. Next time you see a person call someone they disagree with a “liberal snowflake” or you see somebody shouting obscenities about cops, you’re not seeing someone engaging in any meaningful discourse. What you’re seeing is a fiend trying to find their next high.
Tyler William Brock, Caldwell
Bike bar
I left work today, where masks, social distancing, and hand washing/sanitizing is the norm. As I got on to Idaho street, the bicycle powered “drunk wagon” rolled past me. It was full, no masks, people side by side dancing and slapping hands, having a good old time. How is this able to operate while restaurants must limit the number of people to allow themselves to be open. I don’t begrudge people having a good time, but this action seems reckless and unnecessary. Number of cases appears to be going up, even locally. The lack of respect for others in dealing with this situation is a bit scary. We need to stay vigilant in dealing with this pandemic. We are still in the early stages, with only the first of many dominoes starting to fall. We really need to keep paying attention as a community to get through this.
John Regis, Boise
Draconian
Draconian: “extreme/severe rules. EX: killing someone for $1.”
Challenge: Name one draconian restriction Gov. Brad Little instituted to protect us from COVID.
Polio paralyzed/killed a half-million worldwide. Perhaps efforts to save lives produced some draconian-like restrictions: U.S. children removed from their homes and playgrounds, quarantined in sanitariums. Names/addresses of people with confirmed cases were published daily. Removing the quarantine sign from your home resulted in a fine equivalent to $2,800 today. These seem more draconian than any restriction Gov. Little may have imposed.
You say restrictions mandated to protect us are “unconstitutional.” In times of war, necessary restrictions are implemented to keep our country safe: curfews, rationing of foods, gas (two-hour wait for a half-tank during World War II).
Where is the scientific data that a safe and effective vaccine will be available this fall? We learn from history — 20-plus years to develop the polio vaccine.
Distancing and controlling droplet spread are key to saving lives. I haven’t observed “freedom loving Idahoans” exhibiting much “common sense” regarding distancing and mask-wearing. If everyone wears a mask, the spread of COVID can be curbed. Being selfish by not wearing masks spreads the virus. Let’s take the high road by treating each other with compassion and respect.
Rae Ann Norell, Meridian