Letters to the editor: School reopening, masks, governor, COVID-19 spread
Schools reopening
I think it is important for students to experience in class learning, but now there are major safety issues. I hope the schools are considering a plan where only half the students go back into the classroom while the other half learn via computers. Monthly the groups could alternate so each student will be in the classroom half the year and learning via computer the other half.
This would allow ample space in the schools to have social distancing. With other safety protocols — wearing masks and regular hand sanitizing — this might be a safe solution.
Cherry Woodbury, Boise
COVID-19 spread
I find it interesting that the majority of the states experiencing hot spots are Republican. I think it can be attributed to the states that followed Trump’s “suggestion” to open early. He didn’t want anything to sabotage his re-election bid. That shows that only his welfare is of concern to him, not the welfare of the citizens. How far are we going to go before people demand he resign. The damage that has already been done to the country will never be fully realized until after he is gone. I have never been more ashamed of our country. Don’t tell me to leave it either. I am a patriot who spent numerous tours in Vietnam while he was suffering from bone spurs.
Rex Robert McCoy, Boise
Wear a mask
There has been so much discussion and protest around the mandate on mask wearing in Ada County and whether or not this mandate violates the rights of our citizens.
I compare this to the Idaho law that bans smoking in public areas. This law was passed because, although an individual has the right to smoke, he or she does not have the right to expose others around them in public areas to their potentially harmful second-hand smoke.
An individual may argue they have the right to choose whether or not to wear a mask in public but what about the rights of those around them? Others have the right to be in public places and not be subjected to an unmasked individual’s potentially harmful droplets that are emitted every time they speak, yell, sing, cough or sneeze.
Scientific evidence supports that in order to have the best protection in public, everyone needs to cover their mouths and noses in public. Our positive COVID-19 numbers have increased dramatically in Idaho and we must work together to bring them down.
No shirt, no shoes, no mask, no service. Period.
Karin Iuliano, Boise
Mask up, Governor
Dear Governor Little,
As Idaho’s COVID-19 Live Smart Pledge campaign states, “Looking out for each other is in our DNA...We will get through this together.”
It appears that you, as our General, have sold your DNA short by demonstrating to your army how not to keep your pledge. Idaho’s Live Smart concept just lost its ammunition.
Yesterday, your peers — governors of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado and Montana — committed to statewide mandatory masks in public. And where were you? At a White House announcement rally sitting irresponsibly mask-free amid at least a dozen other risk takers. Without saying a word, you could have set an example for the nation and been the only respectable attendee. What a photo-op with a message that would have gone viral for doing the right thing with an audience of millions...not just one.
Mask up, Governor.
Let’s return to that ol’ fighting Crush the Curve strategy. The current trajectory of our infectious cannon is shooting skyward, not flat-out towards the horizon.
Please be safer.
Vanessa George, Boise